Egypt has a population of more than 85 million, and its capital Cairo is considered one of the highest cities in population density with 50.1 people per square mile. Its population reached 12 million in 2015, with an estimate of more than 81,600 persons with epilepsy (prevalence of 6.8 per 1,000 people). Despite these large numbers, we still lack formal comprehensive epilepsy programs.
Cairo University Epilepsy Unit (CUEU)
The Cairo University Epilepsy Unit at the College of Medicine, Kasr Al-Ainy, is the first specialized epilepsy unit in Cairo. It was established in 2014 by the neurology team: Prof. Dr. Farouk Koura, Prof. Dr.Ahmed Talaat El-Ghonemy, Prof.Dr.Nirvana El-Fayoumy, Prof.Dr.Noha Abo-Krysha, Prof.Dr.Ahmed Abo-Mosa, Prof.Dr.Nirmeen A.Kisk, Prof.Dr.Nevin M.Shalaby, Prof.Dr.Gihan Ramzy, Dr.Asmaa Ibrahim, Dr.Dalia Labib, Dr.Reham Shamloul, and The Clinical Neurophysiology Team: Dr.Amani M.Nawito, Dr.Eman Maher
CUEU Mission and Vision
Vision To develop a leading Epilepsy Unit which provides optimum services to the epileptic patients and the surrounding community, in addition to its research activities.
Patients in the Epilepsy Clinic waiting area
Mission:
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To establish an “approved protocol” in the management of an epileptic patients regarding:
Indications for treatment initiation
Indications and methods of “add-on” treatment.
Best drug choices (drug selection) according to: age, sex, type of seizure, and special situations (pregnancy, co-morbidities, psychosis, perioperative, status epilepticus…)
In the CEUE, preparing a patient for video EEG
Intractability and alternative treatments (Ketogenic diet, Vagal nerve stimulation, Surgery)
Drug withdrawal policy
Adopt a satisfactory Classification of Epilepsy, upon which all clinic patients should be revised, diagnosed and followed, with their data uploaded on a software filing system.
Work on improving community knowledge about Epilepsy, caring of an epileptic patient, modification of life style and orienting the patient with his specific seizure type, etiology, prognosis and possible complications
About the Cairo University Epilepsy Unit (CUEU)
It includes a comprehensive Epilepsy Clinic which receives an average of 25 new epileptic cases and 250 follow up cases per week and has two in-patients beds and a unit for conventional and video EEG monitoring, which received an average of 550 and 350 cases respectively per year since it has been founded.
The Epilepsy Clinic which is affiliated to Cairo University was established way before the CUEU, in the early 1960s and is considered the nucleus of our unit.
Scientific activities as weekly Continuous Medical Education "CME" lectures which are scheduled to improve scientific knowledge on various Epilepsy subjects and annual Epilepsy conference through which selected educational material from the CUEU are presented.
Several research projects are performed
The CUEU has an active role in improving public awareness through distributing literature on epilepsy, its causes, FAQs, and sharing in international events on epilepsy awareness as "The Purple Day."
Financial support for medical services and antiepileptic medication availability.
We look forward for collaborative work between the CUEU and other epilepsy programs supported by the ILAE for the development of our work in epilepsy.
Purple Day Activities
Meetings and Congresses
25 March 2015 Second meeting of the Cairo University Epilepsy Unit Epilepsy is a clinical diagnosis: When can EEG Take the lead?
26 March 2014 First meeting of the Cairo University Epilepsy Unit
In collaboration with the Egyptian Society Against Epilepsy (ESAE) chapter of the ILAE Kasr Al-Ainy Conference Center
