KARACHI:Noted Neurologist and Epileptologist of Pakistan Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui gave a special lecture on Temporal Lobe Epilepsy at the 16th International Conference of SAARC Psychiatric Federation at Male, Maldives. She represented Pakistan at the conference held with collaboration of the Maldives National University.

The theme of the conference was 'Evidence, Equity and Empathy in Mental Healthcare'. It was attended by the renowned psychiatrists, neurologists and neuro science experts from the SAARC countries and other parts of the world.

Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui was the only Epileptologist attending this moot. She gave a special lecture on 'Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Where the Mind Meets the Brain'. She spoke on the psychological effects of temporal lobe epilepsy, symptoms, emotions, memories and the related brain systems. As per her research paper, Hippocampus, Amygdala and para hippocampus regions of temporal lobe are the centers of emotions and memories. When epilepsy activities are found in these regions the resulting symptoms seem like the symptoms of psychological disorders.

Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui was invited to this international moot by Prof Sheehan Williams, the president of the SAARC Psychiatric Federation.

Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui is a Diplomate of American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She is certified in Epilepsy and Clinical Neurology from Harvard University, USA, and has served as the director of Epilepsy Programme at John Hopkins University, USA. She is a gold medalist and winner of the Medical Icon Award and American Outstanding Professional Platinum Shield. Presently, she is affiliated to Aga Khan University as Neurologist and Epileptologist.

The moot was also attended by Professor Muawidat Rana, Professor Wajid Ali Akhunzada, Professor Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Afridi and Dr. Majid Ali Abidi from Pakistan. The other experts attending the moot included Prof. Brig. Gen. Azizul Islam and Prof. M D Abdul Mutlib from Bangladesh, Dr. Aron Morley, Dr. Gotam Saha, Dr. Amrat Muroli, Dr. Amrat Pita Joshi, Dr. Rishwa Koirala and Prof T S S Rao from India, Dr. Arif Muhammad and Dr. Abdullah Nazim from Maldives, Dr. Rachina Sharma from Nepal, Dr. Sajvena Amarsighi and Prof. Sheehan Williams from Sri Lanka and Dr. Prem Kumar Chndraskin from Malaysia.

However, Aafia Movement Pakistan Coordinator and Spokesman Muhammad Ayub said that it was a source of pride for the whole country that Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui represented Pakistan in this international conference. She is a globally famed medical expert, often representing Pakistan at international medical forums.