National Epilepsy Week – Ethiopia

National Epilepsy Week – Ethiopia

The First Ever National Epilepsy Week was celebrated in Ethiopia.

National Epilepsy Week - Ethiopia Celebration (23 - A -)

The twenty-second of May was the finale day of the First ever National Epilepsy Week in the history of Ethiopia. This historical day was initiated and carried out by CareEpilepsy Ethiopia in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. The day that everyone was waiting for, People from different backgrounds came and took part in the walk for epilepsy.

National Epilepsy Week - Ethiopia Celebration (1)National Epilepsy Week - Ethiopia Celebration (2)From the Ministry of Health, (Dr. Tedla W/Giorgis Mental Health Advisor to the Minister), and Ms. Enat Founder/CEO of CareEpilepsy gave speeches and the drama group held a very touching performance about a girl who was affected by epilepsy. The drama depicted her experience of being a victim of epilepsy within the modern Ethiopian society.

 

Finally, the walk began, and over three hundred people took to the streets of Addis and made quite an unforgettable as they paraded around the Mexico town square.


Although the National Epilepsy Week only lasted, as the name implies, for seven days, it is well worth noting that all the work of the volunteers and the staff of CareEpilepsy was not the kind that would be done in seven days alone; as a matter of fact, the hardworking and faithful staff of our organization had labored day and night to make our vision a reality.
We would personally like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff, volunteers and all the people that helped us reach where we are now. Last, but definitely not least, We would also like to thank Enat Yewnetu for bringing a topic of such importance to the attention of the Ethiopian people. The week from May 15th to May 22th may have been Ethiopia’s first National Epilepsy Week, but it will definitely not be her last. There is still a lot of work to be done and CareEpilepsy will always be there for the Ethiopian people.

National Epilepsy Week - Ethiopia Celebration (1)National Epilepsy Week - Ethiopia Celebration (35)National Epilepsy Week - Ethiopia Celebration (28)National Epilepsy Week - Ethiopia Celebration (24)National Epilepsy Week - Ethiopia Celebration - Drama (1)

More about the program

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Youth for Epilepsy Ethiopia Creating Awareness

Youth for Epilepsy Ethiopia Creating Awareness

Youth for Epilepsy Ethiopia project volunteers, using younger and fresher minds, were able to create awareness and raise money (2,708.55 Eth. Birr) through ‘shoe shine’ in Addis Ababa, on 14th May 2016 from 12pm till 7:30pm. People living with epilepsy, their families and the community in general of all ages were the target group.

Well Done !

YEE Creating Awareness about Epilepsy - Shoe Shine (1) YEE Creating Awareness about Epilepsy - Shoe Shine (2) YEE Creating Awareness about Epilepsy - Shoe Shine (3) YEE Creating Awareness about Epilepsy - Shoe Shine (4) YEE Creating Awareness about Epilepsy - Shoe Shine (5) YEE Creating Awareness about Epilepsy - Shoe Shine (7) YEE Creating Awareness about Epilepsy - Shoe Shine (8) YEE Creating Awareness about Epilepsy - Shoe Shine (9) YEE Creating Awareness about Epilepsy - Shoe Shine (10) YEE Creating Awareness about Epilepsy - Shoe Shine (11) YEE Creating Awareness about Epilepsy - Shoe Shine (12) YEE Creating Awareness about Epilepsy - Shoe Shine (13) YEE Creating Awareness about Epilepsy - Shoe Shine (14)
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National Epilepsy Week Press Conference

National Epilepsy Week Press Conference

CareEpilepsy Ethiopia gave a joint press conference with the Ministry of Health in Addis Abba regarding the National Epilepsy Week in Ethiopia to be celebrated from 15th May – 22nd May. The core objective of this event is to raise awareness of epilepsy in the community. More than 9 medias including TV, Radio and Newspaper covered the press conference.

The press conference was held on Friday 13 May, and 25th May 2016 was called by the Federal Ministry of Health and CareEpilepsy held at the Federal Ministry of Health’s Office. Dr Mahlet Kifle (Director General, Office of the Minister), Dr Tedla W.Giorgis (Mental Health Advisor) and Enat Yewnetu (Founder and Managing Director of CareEpilepsy) spoke at the Press Conference.

Press Release regarding the Ethiopian National Epilepsy Day (1)
Dr Mahlet Kifle (Director General, Office of the Minister) (on the right), Dr Tedla W.Giorgis (Mental Health Advisor) (on the left) and Enat Yewnetu (Founder and Managing Director of CareEpilepsy) (centre)

Press Release regarding the Ethiopian National Epilepsy Day (2) Press Release regarding the Ethiopian National Epilepsy Day (3) Press Release regarding the Ethiopian National Epilepsy Day (4) Press Release regarding the Ethiopian National Epilepsy Day (5) Press Release regarding the Ethiopian National Epilepsy Day (6) Press Release regarding the Ethiopian National Epilepsy Day (7)

 


National Epilepsy Week – 15th May – 22nd May 2016

A second press conference was held on Wednesday, 25 May 2016 Enat Yewnetu, spoke at the press conference. Articles were written by 5 different national newspapers.


Addis Admas (meaning ‘New Horizon’) Saturday, 17th Oct 2015

Title: Epilepsy, known in Ethiopia as the “falling Sickness”. The Newspaper reported on CareEpilepsy’s launch, 12 October 2015 at the Jupiter Hotel. It gave background to CareEpilepsy and reported on its vision and its aim, which is to establish and enhance good quality epilepsy treatment in Ethiopia, raise awareness and reduce stigma. Presentations were made by:IMG_0986

  1. Dr Hermon Amare, Mental Health leader of the Federal Ministry of Health
  2. Dr Mehila Zebenigus, consultant neurologist, who explained what epilepsy is
  3. Enat Yewnetu, who spoke of the origins of CareEpilepsy and its work, and what we want to achieve in Ethiopia

 


Shegitu magazine

CareEpilepsy Ethiopia was featured in Shegitu magazine. Enat Yewnetu explained about CareEpilepsy’s background and the work that we do. This is a short, English-language synopsis of some of the Amharic coverage. This is a short, English-language summary of some of the Amharic coverage.

Enat Yewnetu

Shegitu magazine, (meaning ‘Pretty’), used the launch as it’s cover story, asking the question “Are we ready to learn?”

The lead article is based on an interview with our founder, Enat Yewnetu, and dealt with four areas:

  1. Our background, vision, and mission. Enat explained that epilepsy is a medical condition, not a manifestation of an evil spirit.
  2. The impact of stigma for epilepsy sufferers means the general public find it hard to look at epilepsy in a balanced way.
  3. The challenges are real and should not be minimized. In spite of that, a good life is possible.
  4. How can society contribute to our work? Everyone should ask themselves how they can make a difference to the story of epilepsy care in Ethiopia.

The caption to the photo on the second page states: You have choices in life – one is to let depression take over and allow your life to lose purpose – another is to be strong and to have a positive attitude, despite having to live with epilepsy. I chose the latter.


 

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