International collaboration

We participate in international epilepsy association actions by bringing up Finnish and Nordic views about the diagnostic, care and support of people with epilepsy. We share information about Finnish good conducts and models that influence on the lives of those with epilepsy.

International Epilepsy day

International Epilepsy day is an annual celebration on the second Monday of February. International Bureau for Epilepsy and International League Against Epilepsy organise this event. In Finland, we campaign annually together with Finnish Epilepsy Society to add information about the diversity of epilepsies to strengthen the resources of epilepsy research.

International Bureu for Epilepsy (IBE)

The Finnish Epilepsy Association is one of the member organisations of the IBE.

International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE)

We monitor research in the field of epilepsy and pass on research information. We support the work of IBE and ILAE at the World Health Organization and promote equality for people with epilepsy, especially in developing regions.

Global report of epilepsy

WHO, ILEA and IBE released a report of epilepsy: Global Report – Epilepsy: a public health imperative  which describes the societal and personal challenges of epilepsy, and presents ways these challenges should be answered in global and national health programs. The report supports fast and meaningful investments, so that the challenges regarding knowledge, care and research could be fixed and developed.

About 75% of people with epilepsy do not receive decent care. In low-income countries, getting treatment can be challenging.

European Reference Network – ERN

ERN was formed to develop the care and research of rare illnesses. ERN brings together knowledge and speciality from different countries.

Networks of excellence are virtual networks connection European healthcare providers. These networks aim to enhance the treatment and diagnosis of rare diseases by pooling expertise and resources and sharing cross-border expertise and good practice. The concept of European knowledge networks is based on the EU Directive, on the application of patient’s rights in cross-border healthcare, adopted in 2011 and which entered into force in 2013.

EpiCARE

Kuopio University Hospital’s Epilepsy Centre is a member of the rare and severe European epilepsy knowledge network EpiCARE, and also coordinates the diagnostic and care of severe epilepsies in Finland.

The Epilepsy Association works as a patient organisation in the cooperation with the Kuopio University Hospital Epilepsy Centre and promotes peer support for people with epilepsy and their closed ones. The Finnish Epilepsy Association is represented on the National Coordination Group for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Epilepsy.