Great participation in the Municipality of Messina at the event promoted on the occasion of the International Epilepsy Day 2026 born from the collaboration of the Provincial Health Authority of Messina and the Municipality of Messina and coordinated by Dr. Laura Rosa Pisani, FF Director of the Neurology UOC – PO “G. Fogliani” of Milazzo. The meeting entitled “International Epilepsy Day 2026: Beyond the Crisis. We – Taking the pathology by the hand… towards a conscious path”. The initiative for informational purposes only, hosted at the Salone delle Bandiere of the Municipality of Messina, saw the presence of numerous participants including schools, health professionals, university professors and institutions with the aim of raising citizens’ awareness of a neurological condition that affects millions of people around the world.
The commitment of institutions against stigma and misinformation
The Dr. Giuseppe Cuccì, General Director of ASP Messina, declared: “International Epilepsy Day represents an important opportunity to strengthen our commitment in the fight against stigma and misinformation linked to this pathology. We are determined to provide support and resources to patients and families, so that they can face life with greater awareness and serenity. We are committed to developing training programs for professionals and information campaigns for the public, so that the community can better understand epilepsy and its implications, thus contributing to greater inclusion social”.
Federico Basile, Mayor of Messina, said: “Our city is close to all those who face epilepsy. This Day not only allows us to reflect on the daily challenges of affected people, but also to renew our commitment to inclusion and support. Together, we can improve the quality of life of many people”. The municipal councilor for Social Policies, Alessandra Calafiore added: “It is essential to promote correct information on epilepsy. Only through knowledge can we fight prejudice and guarantee a supportive environment for those affected. We invite all citizens to participate in our events, to learn and share experiences”.
New therapeutic perspectives and scientific research
Furthermore, Laura Pisani, Acting Director of Neurology at Fogliani Hospital and organizer of the event, declared: “Epilepsy Day is an important opportunity to join forces and raise public awareness. We want to build support not only for patients, but for the whole community, demonstrating that together we can overcome the difficulties that this pathology entails. On a global level, epilepsy is often overlooked. It is time to renew our commitment to the search for innovative and sustainable treatments. New therapies are changing the treatment paradigm and offer hope to many patients.”
The prof. Francesco Pisani, former professor of Neurology at the University of Messina, concluded: “Progress in the knowledge of epilepsy must go hand in hand with the support and valorization of patients. Our society must become a place of acceptance and understanding, where every individual can feel free to live their life. On the occasion of Epilepsy Day, our commitment is to make the most recent diagnostic and therapeutic innovations accessible to patients and professionals. Epilepsy is a heterogeneous disorder that requires an approach of network and precision: we combine high-density EEG, stereo-EEG, MEG and advanced MRI to accurately identify epileptogenic networks. Precision medicine, based on genetic data and biomarkers, is transforming therapeutic choices, from targeted pharmacotherapy to neurostimulation techniques and connectivity-guided surgery.
Towards precision medicine and an integrated care network
Our priority is threefold: timely and correct diagnosis, personalized therapy, and continuity of care throughout your life. We promote integration between clinics, research and technology: artificial intelligence algorithms for crisis detection, telemedicine for home monitoring, and multidisciplinary paths that include neuropsychology and psychosocial support. We want to reduce refractoriness and improve the quality of life, with particular attention to children, adolescents and women of childbearing age. We ask for collaboration between institutions, universities, patient associations and the territory. Epilepsy does not define the person: with evidence-based care, correct information and the fight against stigma, we can guarantee opportunities, autonomy and safety for those living with the disease.”
The protagonists and themes of the multidisciplinary meeting
The ASP of Messina and the Municipality invite everyone to actively participate in the Epilepsy Day initiatives, to learn more about this condition and support those affected by epilepsy. Together we can build a more aware and supportive community. All the speakers gave very important speeches.
In detail, numerous experts and managers intervened during the initiative, including Prof. Gabriella Di Rosa (Child Neuropsychiatry), Dr. Ada Betto (Pediatrics), Dr. Salvatore M. Scarpaci (Emergency Room), Dr. Simone Fogliani and Dr. Francesca La Rocca (Imaging Diagnostics), Dr. Giovanni M. Pagani and Dr. Margherita Scibilia (Anaesthesia and Resuscitation), Dr. Antonino Chillura (Neurology), Dr. Eliana Tripodo (Cardiovascular Screening), Dr. Giuseppe Ruggeri (Assistance for fragile patients), Dr. Claudia La Verga (Neurophysiopathology) and Dr. Adriana Laganà (Nursing Coordination). Key topics of the event were the recognition and management of epileptic seizures as well as the importance of early diagnosis, social inclusion and the fight against stigma and the care and complex management of patients.