The European Headache Alliance [EHA] has launched the ‘Madrid Manifesto on Migraine and other Headache Disorders' - a five year plan calling for migraine to be recognised as a disability and demanding increased awareness, education and research around the condition.
The manifesto was launched at the EHA's awareness event, held at the Spanish Parliament, Madrid and was attended by Irish MEP, Nessa Childers.
Speaking at the event, MEP Childers said, "I am excited by the prospect of capturing the momentum from this valuable exchange of ideas and working in partnership with you all - medical professionals, activists, scientists, politicians and officials towards the common, shared goal of making significant policy breakthroughs to improve the lives of the millions of people in Europe who suffer the debilitating effects of migraine.
"As a psychotherapist, as a health professional, I understand very well the impact migraine and other chronic pain conditions have on the person. As a politician, I can see in a rounded way, the impact this condition can have on economic and social activity. This combined experience will allow me to bring something extra to the discussion and allow me to help move the Madrid Manifesto up the policy agenda. As a Member of the European Parliament, I am committed to getting Migraine and Headache firmly on to the EU's policy agenda."
While national governements are repsonsible for health, the EU can concern itself with social inclusion and the rights of EU citizens. MEP Childers spoke of the EU's role in taking action when the rights of a citizen to engage fully in society and in a workplace free from discrimination are limited because they suffer from migraine or other chronic headache disorder.
To celebrate European Migraine Day of Action (September 12th), MEP Childers will host a meeting on behalf of the European Headache Alliance in the European Parliament. This meeting will bring together interested MEPs and members of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety [ENVI] to discuss migraine issues at EU level.
The event will take place on Tuesday, September 14th.
At a national level, the Migraine Association of Ireland [MAI] has presented the Madrid Manifesto to the Minister for Health, Mary Harney. It is hoped that she will adopt the document to co-incide with Migraine Action Week 2010 [MAW] - coming up this September.
MAI will be asking migraineurs to lobby their local TDs and MEPs, as the association strives to push migraine higher up the political agenda.
Click here to read the Madrid Manifesto.
