Africa-Press – Eswatini. His Royal Highness Prince Bandzile, Patron of the Eswatini Epilepsy Organisation, has been appointed to lead a landmark continental initiative aimed at alleviating the burden of epilepsy across Africa. Eswatini has been selected to host the Africa Epilepsy Trust Fund, an initiative under the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) – Africa Region.
The announcement was made on Monday, 9 February 2026, during the International Epilepsy Day commemoration at Hilton Garden Inn, Mbabane. Prince Bandzile confirmed that he has been tasked to serve as the Fund’s Patron, highlighting Eswatini’s emerging role as a hub for collaborative efforts to address the high cost of epilepsy care across the continent.
International Epilepsy Day is observed annually to raise awareness of the health, social, and economic challenges faced by persons living with epilepsy. The 2026 commemoration was guided by the theme, “Focusing on Turning Awareness into Concrete Actions for Better Safety, Inclusion, and Understanding”. The event attracted policymakers, legislators, diplomats, healthcare professionals, academics, social welfare practitioners, civil society organisations, and persons living with epilepsy, underlining the need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral response to neurological disorders.
During the event, Dr I-Wen Lieu of the Taiwan Technical Mission called for increased support for persons living with epilepsy and urged an end to discrimination, emphasising the importance of inclusive policies and community education to enhance acceptance and access to care. Similarly, Hon. Sandile Nxumalo highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by persons with epilepsy, including discrimination in employment, medical limitations, and social stigma, which continue to restrict opportunities for those affected.
Prince Bandzile expressed gratitude to the Republic of China (Taiwan) for its continued partnership with Eswatini and commended the Taiwan Medical Mission for its sustained contributions to epilepsy care and neurological health services. He noted that collaboration between Eswatini and Taiwan has achieved significant milestones, particularly within the national health sector.
The Prince also acknowledged the leadership of the Ministry of Health, particularly its role in the development and adoption of the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (IGAP) 2022–2031, approved in Geneva in May 2022. The plan aims to reduce gaps in diagnosis and treatment while strengthening integrated neurological care.
Under the current ministerial tenure, increased subventions to the Eswatini Epilepsy Organization have expanded its national footprint, enhancing awareness-raising, public education, and community outreach programmes. The organisation has also played a leading role in implementing IGAP-related initiatives, improving access to diagnosis and treatment for persons living with epilepsy and other neurological disorders across Eswatini.
Citing global data, Prince Bandzile noted that epilepsy accounts for a significant share of the global disease burden, with the highest incidence in low- and middle-income countries, contributing an estimated 14.8 million disability-adjusted life years worldwide. These statistics underscore the urgent need for sustainable and practical interventions.
The Africa Epilepsy Trust Fund, hosted by Eswatini, is expected to mobilise resources to support programmes that reduce the financial burden of epilepsy care continent-wide. The commemoration concluded with a renewed call for collective action towards the shared vision of global epilepsy bodies: a world where no person’s life is limited by epilepsy.
