Presenting BNMT Research at the 15th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress (AOEC 2025)

BNMT Nepal participated in the 15th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress (AOEC 2025), which brought together a multidisciplinary group of participants, including medical professionals, researchers, allied health workers, patient advocates, and industry representatives, to discuss developments in epilepsy care.

Swastika Shrestha, Research Officer at BNMT, presented findings from her research supported by the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH) Early Career Grant. The study titled ‘Intersectional Psychosocial Impact of Epilepsy: A Gender Lens Approach’ shed light on the lived experience of people living with epilepsy in Nepal, highlighting facilitators and barriers to accessing care and achieving holistic wellbeing. The research revealed deeply gendered aspects of the lived experience of epilepsy, providing evidence to advocate for inclusive policies and patient-centered care.

The poster presentation garnered significant attention from delegates, sparking important conversations on the psychosocial challenges of living with epilepsy in Nepal and offering insights to a broader range of stakeholders. This work has led to a further grant from RSTMH to explore in more depth the experiences of women living with epilepsy during pregnancy and in the first year after giving birth.

In addition, Ms. Shrestha participated in the “Epilepsy & Society in the Era of IGAP IBE Workshop,” where she engaged with people living with epilepsy, chapter representatives from the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE), and global experts. This platform facilitated meaningful exchanges on improving epilepsy care, reducing stigma, and fostering community support. The congress proved to be an excellent networking opportunity, facilitating opportunities for potential future collaborations with international researchers in the epilepsy field.