Save More Lives Like Nejat Nuredin

"You might wonder why I want you to spread epilepsy awareness when you don't have epilepsy. At one point, neither did I."

CareEpilepsy Ethiopia

This video tells the story of CareEpilepsy Ethiopia, a charity in Ethiopia that stands beside people living with epilepsy. Behind every clinic visit, every medicine provided, and every family we support is a story of struggle, resilience, and hope. We fight stigma in schools and communities, we listen to families who often feel forgotten, and we push for change so that epilepsy is no longer ignored. This is not just about treatment—it’s about giving people the dignity to live without fear and the chance to be seen, heard, and included.

About Us

CareEpilepsy Ethiopia is a pioneering non-profit dedicated to transforming epilepsy care in Ethiopia. Founded in 2015 by Enat Yewnetu, a global health advocate, public health expert, and person living with epilepsy.

The organisation was born from lived experience and a powerful mission: to make epilepsy visible, treatable, and prioritised in a health system that too often overlooks it. We deliver and facilitate vital services including clinical care, anti-seizure medications, EEG and MRI diagnostics, mental health support, and wellbeing assistance.

Our wellbeing program provides peer support, home visits, transportation assistance, school reintegration, and, when available, essentials such as food and clothing for patients in dire need, ensuring support extends beyond the clinic to the most vulnerable.

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Our Team

Mission

We exist to radically improve the quality of life of people with epilepsy and associated disabilities and change perceptions of epilepsy in the community.

Our Vision

We envision a future where people with epilepsy are protected, respected, live free from discrimination and stigma, and given the opportunity to realise their full potential.

Our Goal

Our goal is to facilitate early epilepsy diagnosis and treatment; train and equip primary health care providers to deliver care; raise awareness; improve patients’ emotional, social, and economic wellbeing; strengthen and expand partnerships; and advocate for epilepsy-responsive and people-centred policies.

National Advisory Board

There are four members of the National Advisory Board comprised of a neurologist, a Clinical Nurse Specialist, a Financial Advisor, and a Business Manager who are responsible for supporting and monitoring our progress towards meeting the set objectives.

Patient Advisory Committee

There are five members of the Patient Advisory Committee who advocates for epilepsy care in Ethiopia through mobilizing patients and communities.

Operational Team

There are six members of the Operational Team who participate in the day-to-day activities of the charity.

How It All Started

Thirty years ago, I was thrust into a world of uncertainty when seizures became a constant companion in my life. The unpredictable storms of generalized tonic-clonic seizures left me battered and bruised, both physically and emotionally. From nearly losing my unborn child to grappling with memory challenges, my journey with epilepsy was marked by pain, embarrassment, and silent suffering.

For years, I questioned why epilepsy chose me, enduring physical injuries, hospitalizations, and the shadow of a shorter life expectancy.

The turning point arrived 15 years ago when I confronted a choice: let epilepsy define me, or rise above its challenges. Determined not to be defeated, I embraced my reality and decided that epilepsy would not shackle my dreams.

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Our Partners

Clinical Care

Our drop-in centre serves children and adults, providing general health assessments, care for epilepsy and associated conditions, mental health services, including family, group, and individual therapy, medication support, EEG diagnostics, and referrals as needed.

Mental Health Care

Many people living with epilepsy experience isolation and mental health challenges, so we provide mental health care with individual counselling, family therapy and addiction care that treats the whole person, not just the condition, with support, guidance and hope at every step.

Wellbeing Support

We centre our work on the wellbeing of people with epilepsy and their families. Through our telephone helpline, peer support, home monitoring, school or work reintegration, and practical skills training for income-generating activities, we reduce isolation, and promote lasting wellbeing.

Community Education

Community education increases epilepsy and associated disabilities awareness, reduces stigma, promotes medical-seeking behaviour, and enables those affected to live with dignity and participate in community life.

Epilepsy Trainings

Our Health Care Strengthening Program improves access to life-saving epilepsy care by training primary health care providers. By equipping frontline workers with the skills to diagnose and treat epilepsy, we’re ensuring timely care and reducing preventable deaths.

Partnership Initiatives

We believe lasting change comes through collaboration. We work with national partners, including the Ministry of Health, as well as international organisations and the diaspora, to strengthen quality care.

We also deliver professional training for nurses, health officers, and educators, and run outreach programs that challenge stigma and raise public awareness.

Beyond care, we drive systemic change. Through partnerships with the Ministry of Health, WHO, IBE, and members of the Ethiopian diaspora who are specialists in neurology and epilepsy, we strengthen national capacity through expert-led training, research collaboration, and telemedicine services, ensuring epilepsy is finally recognised as a public health priority in Ethiopia.

Beneficiary Testimonials

Their Story

Epilepsy In Ethiopia

Join us in this compelling video as we showcase the inspirational journey of CareEpilepsy Ethiopia, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and providing support for people living with epilepsy in Ethiopia.

Discover the impactful stories of individuals who have benefited from our programs, the challenges faced, and the remarkable progress made in epilepsy care and advocacy.Watch the video to learn more about our work and how you can support our mission to ensure that anyone with epilepsy can fulfill their potential with the right support and medical care.

Epilepsy First Aid in Amharic Language

Join us in this compelling video as we showcase the inspirational journey of CareEpilepsy Ethiopia, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and providing support for people living with epilepsy in Ethiopia.

Discover the impactful stories of individuals who have benefited from our programs, the challenges faced, and the remarkable progress made in epilepsy care and advocacy.Watch the video to learn more about our work and how you can support our mission to ensure that anyone with epilepsy can fulfill their potential with the right support and medical care.

Our Videos

16Oct

CareEpilepsy Thanksgiving 2025 📅 October 11, 2025 📍Jupiter International Hotel, Addis Ababa

10/16/2025 03:58 PM

A heartfelt day of gratitude and celebration! We honoured our amazing partners, doctors, and volunteers who have helped transform epilepsy care in Ethiopia. Seeing Prof. Redda among the awardees made it even more special. Thank you for believing in our mission of hope and better care.

This Ethiopian New Year was extra special 💫 12th September 2025.

10/16/2025 03:58 PM

This Ethiopian New Year (2018 EC) was especially meaningful for 21 families who received holiday food support—and, for some, new clothing, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. Their ability to celebrate with dignity brought genuine joy. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to Yayeneabeba (Canada), Kidest (USA), the Total Energy team (Addis Ababa), Abebe Yisak (USA), and our dedicated CareEpilepsy team for making this possible. Wishing everyone a joyful and healthy Ethiopian New Year 2018 (EC).

CareEpilepsy at the 36th International Epilepsy Congress – Lisbon 2025 from 30 August - 3 September 2025

10/16/2025 03:58 PM

An inspiring and productive week in Lisbon, where I joined global leaders at the International Epilepsy Congress 2025. CareEpilepsy’s abstract was selected by the ILAE Scientific Committee, and our organisation was recognised as a trendsetter in IGAP implementation, an important milestone in our 10-year journey of improving epilepsy care in Ethiopia.