Capturing the Moments
Visual moments often speak more powerfully than words. This gallery offers a glimpse into the activities, outreach, and human connections that shape our work. From meaningful events to community engagement, these images capture the spirit of awareness, service, and collective effort behind the initiatives of the National Epilepsy Centre and Epilepsy Support Pakistan.
CELEBRATING NATIONAL EPILEPSY MONTH, INTERNATIONAL EPILEPSY DAY & NATIONAL EPILEPSY DAY
February 2026.
National Epilepsy Month: Highlighting A Framework for Sustained Action
National Epilepsy Month – February 2026 was observed by the National Epilepsy Centre (NEC) and Epilepsy Support Pakistan (ESP) as a series of purposeful, well-structured, and ethically grounded initiatives rather than symbolic activities. Both organisations emphasised that epilepsy awareness must translate into measurable public health outcomes, reaffirming its role as a strategic intervention rather than a ceremonial exercise.
Throughout the month, outpatient services incorporated focused education on seizure first aid, treatment adherence, lifestyle measures, and myth dispelling, with particular emphasis on empowering caregivers, especially mothers, who bear primary responsibility for long-term epilepsy care.
Community outreach included awareness sessions, school workshops, update sessions for primary care physicians and neurology allied fields, interactive dialogues, and distribution of culturally sensitive materials in local languages.
With Ramadan starting in February special awareness activity at NEC was done with patients and family members to ensure safe fasting.
International Epilepsy Day: Global Solidarity, Local Commitment
Observed on 9 February, the day aligned ESP and NEC with the global epilepsy movement, highlighting epilepsy as a shared concern. Participation in the 50 Million Steps initiative symbolised commitment to visibility and advocacy, alongside the Epilepsy Pledge reaffirming continuation of integrated services.
Patient interaction sessions were organised, fostering dialogue, reassurance, and shared experience. All patients attending on the day received gifts, while children were given goody bags and balloons, simple yet powerful gestures affirming dignity, belonging, and hope. A photobooth was put up.
broadcasting epilepsy awareness messages every 15 minutes from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, ensuring repeated exposure across diverse populations. The radio messages addressed seizure recognition, basic first aid, the treatability of epilepsy, and the urgent need to abandon fear and misconceptions, an approach recognised as among the most cost-effective strategies for public attitude change in low-resource settings.
National Epilepsy Day – 28 February: National Conscience and Humanitarian Legacy
National Epilepsy Day, observed on 28 February, served as the culminating focal point of Epilepsy Month. The day carries profound national significance as it coincides with the birth anniversary of Abdul Sattar Edhi, Pakistan’s greatest humanitarian, who himself lived with epilepsy. Observing National Epilepsy Day on this date links epilepsy advocacy with compassion, dignity, and service to humanity. The day was marked by a series of high-impact events:
Iftar Awareness Media Meet
In view of the holy month of Ramadan a thoughtfully organized Iftar awareness media meet brought together journalists, editors, opinion-makers with our celebrity guest of honour, Ms. Hina Khwaja Bayat in an atmosphere of reflection and dialogue. Media professionals were sensitised to the realities of living with epilepsy, the magnitude of Pakistan’s treatment gap, and the ethical responsibility of stigma-free, accurate reporting.
Celebrity & International Support and Public Solidarity
Public figures and celebrities like renowned actor, anchor and activist Hina Khwaja Bayat and celebrated music composer and actor Arshad Mahmud lent their voices to the cause, amplifying messages of inclusion, dignity, and hope, and extending the reach of epilepsy awareness beyond medical and academic circles. Donna Walsh, CEO, IBE in her message acknowledged the efforts of ESP and stressed the need for national, regional and international collaboration to strengthen the epilepsy awareness mission.
Engagement with Future Doctors
An awareness session with JSMU medical students focused on epilepsy beyond prescriptions, highlighting psychosocial impact, ethical responsibility, and continuity of care – planting the seeds for a more empathetic future medical workforce.
Nationwide FM Radio Campaign
A nationwide FM radio campaign, identical in scale to International Epilepsy Day, ensured high-frequency awareness messaging throughout the day.
Celebrating Patients as Partners
Festivities with patients and families honoured people with epilepsy as active partners in awareness. Gifts for all patients, goody bags for children and a photobooth acknowledged their resilience and the pivotal role their lived experiences play in reshaping societal attitudes.
Visibility, Resilience, and Continuity
Epilepsy advocacy cannot pause for ideal conditions. Epilepsy Month 2026 achieved substantial media and social media visibility despite adverse external circumstances speaks to institutional resilience and moral clarity.
Structuring epilepsy awareness around National Epilepsy Month, International Epilepsy Day, and National Epilepsy Day has created a coherent continuum, from sustained action to global solidarity, to national accountability. The experience of ESP and NEC affirms a simple, enduring truth: epilepsy care succeeds when science, society, and empathy are aligned.
Epilepsy Awareness Lecture at
ZVMG Rangoonwala Community Centre
October 01, 2025
Dr. Zarine Mogal was invited to give an epilepsy awareness talk by the Rangoonwala Community Center at their Annual Health and Wellness Session. It was well attended talk by students and volunteers. The audience interaction in the interactive talk was encouraging and created a positive energy required.
AI Introduction Workshop – May 16, 2025
AI is becoming a powerful tool in epilepsy awareness, enabling wider and more effective public engagement. National Epilepsy Centre is beginning to explore its use to strengthen outreach. Mr. Tariq Mustafa, an IT specialist and our NGO member, conducted a practical training workshop for NEC doctors and staff who often multitask due to limited resources, on using AI tools to create impactful social media content and support ongoing awareness efforts.
Epilepsy Sparks Insights - Podcast with Torie Robertson May 2025
Dr. Zarine Mogal featured on the Epilepsy Sparks podcast, where she shared valuable perspectives on shifting societal attitudes toward epilepsy in Pakistan, and the ongoing work required to sustain this change. In a comprehensive discussion with host Torie Robinson, a person living with epilepsy who uses her platform to connect individuals with epilepsy, healthcare professionals, and researchers, Dr. Mogal reflected on the journey of raising awareness, dismantling stigma, building inclusive care models within a complex cultural landscape, and working to reduce the treatment gap.
Watch the podcast on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHio3etPTt0&t=33s
Celebrating International Epilepsy Day - 10 February 2025, National Epilepsy Day - 28 February 2025 and
National Epilepsy Month – entire February
Ms Nadia Jamil at National Epilepsy Centre
Ms. Nadia Jamil, a celebrated actor, person living with epilepsy, and advocate for epilepsy awareness, visited the National Epilepsy Centre. During her visit, she interacted warmly with patients and their caregivers, offering encouragement and boosting their morale. She listened attentively to each individual’s social concerns, giving motivational while whilst sharing her personal experiences with epilepsy. Requests for selfies and photographs were graciously accommodated, creating a memorable and uplifting experience for all present.
Epilepsy Awareness Talk Shows on FM Radio
Talk shows featuring specialists were aired on FM radio channels across all provinces with live telecasts on their Facebook page throughout the month.
Dr. Zarine Mogal – Karachi https://www.youtube.com/live/kAmQa65OfIM?si=3TwCyGbjdDCn_P4B
Prof. Shaheen Mughal – Nawabshah https://www.youtube.com/live/iiE-X5teVCY?si=KrJseC68j8RBAUZ4
Dr. Ubaidullah Ansari – Multan https://www.youtube.com/live/4EDPWirOwUw?si=vFYX7MTSMCxqwhqA
Prof. Tipu Sultan – Lahore https://www.youtube.com/live/Ie-UTuyj2DM?si=UBd42odOqlSZ7doh
Prof. Saleem Barech – Quetta https://www.youtube.com/live/6cPOEKrD0ZQ?si=IXRHnAblKsvZ_B97
Illumination of city landmarks in Purple
City’s landmarks, Empress Market, Frere Hall, KMC Building, Teen Talwar & Port Grand along with the National Epilepsy Centre building, were illuminated in the epilepsy awareness colour purple, for three consecutive days in collaboration with Karachi Metropolitan Corporation to mark the launch of National Epilepsy Day .
Epilepsy Awareness video on city’s SMD screens
National Epilepsy Centre’ epilepsy awareness video was played on loop on the city’s SMD screens for three consecutive days. This activity was held in collaboration with Karachi Metropolitan Corporation to mark the launch of National Epilepsy Day .
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Epilepsy Awareness Banners & Medicine Bags
Epilepsy awareness banners were displayed at busy chemist shops. The shops were also provided with attractive reusable fabric bags, printed with epilepsy awareness slogans, to dispense medicines to their clients.
Workshop on Public Awareness with students of Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College
A workshop on how to create public awareness for health conditions, especially epilepsy, was held at NEC. Fifteen enthusiastic students with two neurologists from the college faculty actively participated. Two students brought their epilepsy awareness artwork. One student offered her services to help with the NEC social media and does so as time permits from her busy education schedule
Celebrations at National Epilepsy Centre
The National Epilepsy Centre proudly marked International Epilepsy Day and National Epilepsy Day with a series of thoughtful, patient centric activities designed to foster awareness, dignity, and community support for individuals living with epilepsy.
International Epilepsy Day – February 10, 2025
On this global day of awareness, every patient visiting the Centre was presented with a tea/coffee mug, pen, and notebook in a multipurpose long-use shopping bags, each carrying an epilepsy awareness slogan, symbolizing encouragement and solidarity. To further ease the burden on families, all patients were exempted from the token follow-up fee.
Children and their parents were engaged in a meaningful session highlighting eminent personalities from around the world who lived with epilepsy. The aim was to reassure families that epilepsy does not limit one’s potential, dreams, or achievements. An online quiz for neurology postgraduates was also conducted, promoting academic engagement and strengthening the knowledge base of young trainees in the field.
National Epilepsy Day – February 28, 2025
The Centre observed National Epilepsy Day with great spirit. Staff members, patients with their attendants, and all visitors were adorned with purple ribbons, the international colour of epilepsy awareness, and encouraged to wear them throughout the day. Children received biscuits and éclairs wrapped in purple, adding a joyful touch to the occasion. Once again, all patients were exempted from the token follow-up fee, honouring NEC’s commitment to accessible care.
A special cake-cutting ceremony was held, bringing together the doctors and staff of the Centre. This gathering not only celebrated the first National Epilepsy Day but also commemorated the birthday of Pakistan’s greatest humanitarian, Mr. Abdul Sattar Edhi, who himself lived with epilepsy and remains a powerful symbol of resilience, compassion, and service.
National Epilepsy Centre building was illuminated in purple for three continuous days.
These commemorative activities reflect NEC’s ongoing dedication to creating a supportive, informed, and stigma-free environment for people living with epilepsy. The Centre remains committed to compassionate care, public education, and the empowerment of patients and families across Pakistan.
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Launch of National Epilepsy Day and National Awareness Month February 03, 2025
Health-specific days, weeks, and months, endorsed by the World Health Organization and other international bodies, play a crucial role in spotlighting key health concerns, mobilizing global awareness, and fostering preventive action. Similarly, nationally recognized observances are essential for drawing attention to under-addressed conditions, encouraging community participation, and supporting culturally contextual advocacy at the grassroots level.
Recognizing the need National Epilepsy Centre (NEC) jointly with Epilepsy Association of Pakistan (EAP), Pakistan Chapter of ILAE and Epilepsy Support Pakistan (ESP), Full Pakistan Chapter of IBE , have jointly declared February 28th as National Epilepsy Day and February as National Epilepsy Awareness Month in Pakistan. The day also commemorates the birth anniversary of Abdul Sattar Edhi Sahib, Pakistan’s most revered humanitarian, who lived with epilepsy and devoted his life selflessly to the service of humanity; his life story serving as a powerful source of inspiration for the epilepsy community in Pakistan. His legacy underscores the message that epilepsy does not limit one’s ability to live a meaningful and impactful life.
The launch event, held at Port Grand, Karachi, was graced by Mayor Karachi, Murtaza Wahab and Ms. Nadia Jamil, a celebrated actor, person living with epilepsy, and vocal advocate for epilepsy awareness. Dr. Zarine Mogal, Consultant Neurologist, Head of NEC and President of EAP and ESP, and Mrs. Shanaz Ramzi, President designate of ESP, highlighted the importance of national recognition in empowering the estimated 2.2 million people living with epilepsy in Pakistan. They called for collective, cross-sectoral efforts to build a more inclusive and informed society. The honoured guests endorsed the need for sustained awareness and action to combat stigma, and expressed their full support for this critical initiative.
Presidents of ILAE Prof. Helen Cross, IBE Dr. Franseca , and ILAE-Asia Oceania shared video messages applauding this step, noting the importance of national observances in addressing stigma and the treatment gap.
Adding to this momentous occasion, Prof. Helen Cross – President ILAE, Francesca Sofia – President IBE and Prof. John Dunne – President, ILAE-Asia Oceania shared video messages applauding this step, noting the importance of national observances in addressing stigma and the treatment gap and expressed hope that these new initiatives will further catalyze change in the country.
This landmark declaration reflects Pakistan’s growing commitment to health equity, inclusion, and improved care for people with epilepsy.
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Edhi Memorial Epilepsy Awareness Lecture for Teachers of
The Mama Parsi Girls Secondary School
July 25, 2024
National Epilepsy Centre was invited by The Mama Parsi Girls’ Secondary School, Karachi to participate in their health seminar on epilepsy. The interactive session was attended by around 250 teachers. Key topics included recognizing various types of seizures, distinguishing them from similar non-epileptic events, providing appropriate first aid during a seizure, and understanding the emotional and psychological effects epilepsy can have on students. Additionally, myths and misconceptions contributing to stigma were thoroughly addressed.
Such workshops equip teachers with the knowledge to foster a stigma-free environment, allowing students with epilepsy to flourish both academically and socially. It was particularly heartening to learn that Mama Parsi School actively supports students with epilepsy. Currently, the school has six students of different age groups living with epilepsy, and the school management is fully committed to ensuring their well-being and success.
International Epilepsy Day - Sindh TV Morning Show
February 12,2024
Epilepsy awareness through television, the most effective electronic medium was done.
ILAE Sponsored Epilepsy Awareness
Documentary Telecasts
2023
In 2023, International League Against Epilepsy-Asia Oceania supported the telecast of epilepsy awareness documentary on national and regional language television channels as an initiative for WHO’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders (IGAP).
A comprehensive month-long epilepsy awareness campaign on state-owned Pakistan Television (PTV) was done during the month of Ramzan. Three major channels of PTV; PTV News, PTV National, and PTV Bolan, telecast the epilepsy documentary multiple times a day throughout the month. Live, viewer-interactive dedicated epilepsy program, Pakistan Time on PTV National (regional multilingual), and Iftar Special Transmission on PTV News were done on weekends.
Telecast of the documentary twice a day for one month was also done on Geo, KTN, VSH, Khyber, and City 42 Channels. https://youtu.be/9QKRGPsJIOA?si=aJhe3-2l0NlRnduK
Epilepsy Awareness Podcast - SDTV
May 04, 2023
SDTV for their YouTube Channel viewers recorded a podcast on Epilepsy & Stigma on May 04, 2023.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jDF8GE0MRA&t=42s
Epilepsy Awareness – SAMAA TV Morning Show
February 14, 2022
On International Epilepsy Day National Epilepsy Centre’s specialists were invited by Samaa TV to their live Morning Show to talk about epilepsy and related issues. The morning show is widely watched by non-working female members of the households.
Edhi Memorial Epilepsy Awareness Lecture for Mothers of
Kiran Foundation - DCTO Campus Students
March 04, 2022
On International Epilepsy Day National Epilepsy Centre’s specialists were invited by Samaa TV to their live Morning Show to talk about epilepsy and related issues. The morning show is widely watched by non-working female members of the households.
Edhi Memorial Epilepsy Awareness Lecture at
Inner Wheel School, Karachi
November 16, 2021
An Epilepsy Awareness lecture for the students of grades 9 and 10 at Inner Wheel School Korangi, Karachi was conducted. About 50 students, 30 mothers, class teachers, and members of Inner Wheel Club, Karachi who run the school attended the session. The session lasted for 2 hours. The interactive lecture addressed stigma, myths, and misconceptions about epilepsy. First aid for epilepsy patients. Information brochures were distributed.
Interview on Voice of America - Urdu
August 2021
Dr. Zarine Mogal was interviewed on ‘Life Three Sixty’ by Saba Shah Khan for Voice of America – Urdu to talk about epilepsy. Dr Zarine spoke about how a seizure can present, the First Aid that is given in case one sees a person seizing, and how the seizures are managed. It is a highly stigmatized disorder that can be only reduced through sustained awareness programs.
International Epilepsy Day
Pakistan Shines a Light on Epilepsy
February 08, 2021
To promote epilepsy awareness, International Epilepsy Day was celebrated in Karachi, Pakistan by National Epilepsy Centre (CECP-NEC) in collaboration with Epilepsy Support Pakistan (CECP-ESP) & Epilepsy Association of Pakistan (EAP). Activities were spread over three days. Doctors from NEC were invited by Samaa FM 107.4 to talk about epilepsy on their popular morning show. The show is heard by children on the way to school and people to work all over Pakistan. This program is heard in other countries too. The feedback from the listeners was very encouraging.
Large-sized banners with epilepsy awareness messages were placed on several pedestrian bridges strategically located on the main traffic artery of Karachi that connects the national highway to the Karachi port and branches to reach other parts of the city. These posters were legible from 700-800 metres.
At National Epilepsy Centre, a lucky draw activity for children with epilepsy was held. The winner got a large stuffed teddy bear.
A press conference was held after dusk at a popular public space, Port Grand located near the Karachi port. The place was beautifully lit up in purple – the colour of epilepsy. The media personnel were briefed about epilepsy and the importance of spreading awareness by the EAP President who also Co-Heads CECP-NEC. The Govt. of Sindh was represented by the Assistant District Commissioner, South. A short awareness documentary and recorded messages President of CECP-NEC and CECP-ESP, the Executive Director of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, and the President of ILAE were also shown.
Epilepsy awareness documentary and audio-visual messages were displayed in a loop on large SMD screens at Port Grand and Burns Road Food Street. The event was extensively covered in media.
The highlight of the International Epilepsy Day Celebration was illumination of national monuments and landmarks in purple; the most significant being the Mausoleum of the Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Large awareness banners were placed at these sites for people to associate purple with epilepsy.
Podcast with Rabia Aziz Rizvi of Special Needs Pakistan
May 19, 2020
Special Needs Pakistan run by Rabia Aziz Rizvi provides a platform and a resource network for all people with special needs and their caregivers. The platform provides information about medical facilities and their motto is to promote compassion, tolerance, love, and looking beyond social negativities. A special session for epilepsy was held on May 19th. Dr. Zarine was joined by Prof. Hasan Aziz and all aspects of epilepsy from clinical presentation to social injustice faced by people with epilepsy were discussed during the 30-minute podcast.




































































































































































