What is the main focus of this webinar and why is it important for attendees to care about the cause?
The webinar focuses on EEG use and coma management in the African clinical context—improving diagnosis, monitoring and outcomes for people with epilepsy and brain injury. Epilepsy has a high burden in many African settings due to limited diagnostic capacity and treatment gaps; learning practical, context-appropriate EEG and coma care helps clinicians, trainees and supporters close those gaps and directly improve patient outcomes.
How can I prepare beforehand to get the most learning out of the session?
Review basic EEG terminology and common coma etiologies; gather 1–2 anonymized case questions or EEG snippets you’d like to discuss. Test your audio/video ahead of time, have a stable internet/backup connection, and have note-taking tools ready so you can record key points and action steps for your practice or program.
How can supporters (clinicians, educators, NGOs) be most effective in advancing the cause after the webinar?
Translate and disseminate core teachings locally, organize follow-up hands-on training or mentorship, support low-cost EEG and monitoring solutions, and advocate for inclusion of EEG/coma care in health plans. Practical actions include volunteering for remote mentorship, sharing guidelines from ILAE-Africa, helping secure basic equipment, and building referral pathways so new knowledge is implemented.
What’s the best way to engage during the webinar to ensure the session is useful and interactive?
Use the chat and Q&A actively—submit concise clinical questions or brief case summaries. Raise practical challenges you face so speakers can tailor advice, request clarifications on EEG traces, and follow up afterward via provided contact channels or relevant ILAE-Africa networks to continue discussions and mentorship.
Are there any precautionary measures I should take related to connectivity or weather to avoid missing parts of the online event?
Have a charged backup device (phone/tablet) and mobile data available in case of power or broadband outages; use headphones to reduce background noise and join from a quiet spot. If weather disruptions are possible locally, download any pre-distributed materials in advance and note the speaker’s contact or the organizer’s follow-up plan so you can access recordings or resources if you must reconnect later.
Did you know?
About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy — nearly 80% live in low- and middle-income countries where diagnostic and treatment resources are often limited.
WHO fact sheet: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/epilepsy
Up to 70% of people with epilepsy could live seizure‑free with timely and appropriate treatment, so improving access to care can have a huge impact.
WHO fact sheet: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/epilepsy
In some low‑income countries the epilepsy treatment gap is as high as 75% — meaning most people who need care do not receive it; training and outreach help close this gap.
WHO fact sheet / WHO report: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/epilepsy
Non‑convulsive seizures are common in critically ill or comatose patients and are detectable only with EEG — continuous EEG monitoring frequently changes patient management.
Claassen J et al., Detection of electrographic seizures with continuous EEG monitoring in patients with altered mental status. Neurology. 2004. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15136652/
Stigma and discrimination against people with epilepsy reduce access to education, work and social inclusion; community and professional education measurably reduce stigma and increase care‑seeking.
WHO report: Epilepsy – a public health imperative (and WHO fact sheet): https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241515355
Short courses, webinars and local training programs are a scalable way to upskill clinicians and health workers, improving diagnosis (including EEG use) and treatment in resource‑limited settings.
ILAE education initiatives and WHO recommendations on epilepsy education and capacity building: https://www.ilae.org/education; https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241515355
FAQ
Did you know?