MAKATI CITY — Makati City is joining the nationwide observance of National Epilepsy Awareness Week, held every first week of September under Proclamation No. 230, signed in 2002. This year’s celebration runs from September 1 to 7, 2026, with the Philippine League Against Epilepsy leading efforts to raise awareness about epilepsy, a neurological condition affecting millions of people but still widely misunderstood. The week-long campaign aims to correct misconceptions, encourage compassion, and promote greater respect and support for persons living with epilepsy.
Turning Awareness Into Understanding
Epilepsy is a brain disorder marked by recurring seizures, but misinformation surrounding the condition can often lead to stigma, discrimination, and social isolation. These challenges may discourage affected individuals from seeking treatment and can negatively impact their overall quality of life. Through education and awareness, the campaign seeks to replace misconceptions with understanding. Epilepsy is not contagious, seizures can be managed, and people living with the condition can lead productive and fulfilling lives. The observance also highlights the value of seizure first aid training, giving communities the knowledge needed to respond appropriately when someone experiences a seizure. More importantly, it encourages compassion and reinforces the rights of persons with epilepsy as persons with disabilities.
Makati Strengthens Access to Epilepsy Care
Makati City’s participation reflects its continuing efforts to make healthcare more accessible to its residents, including those living with neurological conditions. Through its free medicine program, the city provides medications for seizure disorders, helping residents maintain access to essential treatment. Meanwhile, Makati Medical Center has strengthened specialized neurological care through its Epilepsy clinic under its M.I.N.D.S. subspecialty program. By combining access to treatment with public education, Makati is addressing epilepsy on both the medical and community levels. Its participation in the awareness week helps challenge the stigma surrounding the condition while reinforcing an important message: people living with epilepsy deserve proper care, understanding, dignity, and an equal place in the community.
