Dear Colleagues,

It is my privilege to welcome you to the Emirati League against Epilepsy.

Epilepsy remains one of the most common serious neurological conditions worldwide, and one that touches families across every community in the UAE. Estimates suggest that up to three percent of our population may be affected, representing more than 120,000 individuals living with the condition. Behind every statistic is a person whose quality of life depends on timely diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and a healthcare system that understands the full complexity of seizure disorders.

The Emirati League against Epilepsy (ELAE) is the official UAE chapter of the International League against Epilepsy (ILAE). Established in 2005 and formally registered under the Dubai Association Centre in 2019, we bring together neurologists, epileptologists, neurosurgeons, neurophysiologists, neuropsychologists, nurses, allied health professionals and researchers united by a shared commitment to advancing epilepsy care in the Emirates.

Our mission is grounded in four priorities. We work to ensure that the standard of epilepsy care across the UAE reflects internationally accepted clinical practice. We deliver nationwide education and training programmes, including our annual scientific congress, which has now reached its ninth edition and continues to bring together regional and international faculty. We promote the exchange of medical and scientific knowledge through publications, guidelines and collaborative research. And we partner closely with our colleagues across the region through CEMA, the Commission of the Eastern Mediterranean Affairs of ILAE, to address the shared challenges of epilepsy care in our part of the world.

Looking ahead, we are committed to expanding our footprint in clinical research, supporting the next generation of epilepsy specialists in the UAE, raising public awareness to reduce the stigma that still surrounds the condition, and ensuring that no patient in our country is left without access to the care they deserve.

I warmly invite physicians, healthcare professionals and researchers with an interest in epilepsy and the neurosciences to join ELAE. Whether you are an established specialist or beginning your career, your contribution will help shape the future of epilepsy care in the Emirates.

Thank you for visiting our website. I look forward to welcoming you as a colleague and a member of our community.

President, Emirati League against Epilepsy
Consultant Neurologist and Chief Medical Officer
American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates