IBRO/ILAE EEG Epilepsy Workshop, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) and the International League against Epilepsy (ILAE), the Congolese League Against Epilepsy (LICOCE) and the Department of Neurology of Kinshasa School of Medicine has initiated series of collaboration to promote education, training, and research in Epilepsy. Epilepsy is the most common serious and chronic neurological condition which affects around 50 million people around the world. Its incidence in Africa is quite high due to a high prevalence of diseases that can affect the brain and lead to various complications including epilepsy.

An IBRO/ILAE EEG-Epilepsy Workshop was held in Kinshasa (DRC) from March 19 to March 26, 2016. Trainees were physicians, residents, and junior faculty from Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon in addition to Congolese residents from the Congo University System. Faculty members included leaders in the field coming from France, Belgium, Spain and DRC. During the workshop, participants were trained on EEG recording and its interpretation. Didactic courses were also given on the fundamentals of epilepsy and EEG prior to EEG recordings and interpretation as needed. Practicum sessions were conducted in groups to enhance interactions between learners and teachers.

The closing ceremony of the workshop was chaired by the Dean of the Kinshasa University School of Medicine.

The Organizing Committee thanks the two main sponsors of the Workshop, namely IBRO and ILAE. Many thanks also to Neuroelectrics (Barcelona, Spain) and to Congolese authorities and numerous other local partners for their support to the event.