Epilepsy in Hong Kong: Some Facts & Figures

Epilepsy is one of the most common brain disorders in Hong Kong

  • 1 in 20 persons has seizure during his/her lifetime.

  • It is estimated that there are 60,000 -70,000 persons with epilepsy in Hong Kong. Epilepsy affects people of different ages and all walks of life.

  • 70-80% of persons with epilepsy can be free of seizures with medications. The rest are subject to frequent seizures which adversely affect their quality of life with potential risks of injuries and death. (1)

Lack of epilepsy awareness and wrong first aid management

More than 50% of the respondents had a misconception of putting an object in the mouth of a person during seizure attack as a first aid, according to a survey. (2)

Inadequate support available to service providers

According to some data, not many teachers and social workers had received formal training on handling students or service users with epilepsy; nearly 80% of the educational institutions and social service organisations lacked guidelines on helping persons with epilepsy.(3)

Renaming of the Chinese Name of Epilepsy in 2010

The renaming is attempted not only to enhance public understanding of epilepsy and rectify misconception, but also to promote positive attitudes in persons with epilepsy towards seeking medical attention and living with the illness. Renaming is greatly supported by The Food and Health Bureau and Hospital Authority.

About EFHK

Epilepsy Foundation of Hong Kong [EFHK] was established in 2019. It is a recognised charitable organisation.

Our Mission

The Epilepsy Foundation of Hong Kong is dedicated to promote public awareness and understanding of epilepsy, to educate persons with epilepsy and their family members about coping with epilepsy, and to promote epilepsy research and training. We strive to create an inclusive and caring society.

Our Vision

To promote positive understanding of epilepsy among the public and to build an epilepsy-friendly Hong Kong

Our Value

  • Respect and care

  • Inclusiveness

  • Integrity

Candlelight

Candlelight is internationally adopted by epilepsy organisations to symbolise care for persons with epilepsy. The EFHK logo with the candlelight is designed to exemplify our aspiration to create a brighter future to persons with epilepsy and the public. The dynamic flame represents the vibrance of the EFHK and the momentum of our work to promote epilepsy awareness.

What We Do

We work with members of the public, persons with epilepsy and their families, and professionals of different sectors including health, education and social service.

Objectives:

Community education

to raise public understanding of epilepsy, to promote positive attitude towards epilepsy, and to eliminate misconceptions about epilepsy

Education for persons with epilepsy & their families

to provide knowledge that helps them cope with the disease and improve their quality of life

Research & training

to advance epilepsy research and training with an aim of improving the well-being of persons with epilepsy

Key activities

  • Public and patient educational activities

  • Information and resources related to epilepsy

  • Support research on epilepsy

  • Training for professionals and related service providers

Organisation

Board of Directors

Dr FONG Chung Yan, Gardian

Dr FUNG Bun Hey

Dr YUNG Wing Yan, Ada


Advisers

(listed in alphabetical order)

Dr CHAN Lok Yiu, Eric

Dr CHANG Shek-Kwan, Richard

Dr CHU Yim Pui Jonathan

Dr FONG Chung Yan, Gardian

Dr FONG Ka Yeung, Jason

Dr FUNG Bun Hey

Dr FUNG Lai Wah, Eva

Ms HUNG Tak Fung, Anchor

Prof KWAN Kwok Leung, Patrick

Dr LEONG Che Hung

Dr YUNG Wing Yan, Ada

Please Make a Donation to support EFHK

To build an epilepsy-friendly Hong Kong and enhance the well-being of persons with epilepsy

Donate online NOW https://support.epilepsy.org.hk

Epilepsy Foundation of Hong Kong is a charitable organisation (IRD-REF-91/17014) under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. For a donation of HKD100 or above, an official receipt can be issued for the purpose of tax deduction

Contact/Email address: info@epilepsy.org.hk

Sources of information: (1) Fong GC, Kwan P, Hui AC, Lui CH, Fong JK, Wong V. An epidemiological study of epilepsy in Hong Kong SAR, China. Seizure. 2008 Jul;17(5):457-64. doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2007.12.005. Epub 2008 Feb 7. PMID: 18261935.(2) Fong, C. Y. G., & Hung, A. (2002). Public awareness, attitude, and understanding of epilepsy in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. Epilepsia,43(3), 311-316.(3) 「老師社工相關訓練少 腦癇兒童 常被誤判頑皮」(translation: “Teachers and social workers received little training and therefore mistook children with epilepsy as mischief” ) (Health, AM730,12 December 2012, in Chinese only)