Foundation advocates national framework on dementia

Foundation advises FG on national framework on dementia
NAN-HG-5
Dementia
By Chinenye Offor
Abuja, Sept. 21, 2017 (NAN) Dr Emem Omokaro, the Executive Director, Dave Omokaro Foundation, has called on the Federal Government to evolve a national policy for dementia.
She made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja to commemorate the World Alzheimer’s Day.
According to her, there is an urgent need for government to sensitise Nigerians on dementia.
She urged government to support the cause by encouraging the public to learn to recognise early warning signs of the disease.
“Every three seconds someone in the world develops dementia but most people with dementia do not receive a diagnosis or support.
“In 2017, there will be an expected 10 million new cases of dementia, government must develop their own national plans.
“Dementia will become a trillion-dollar disease in 2018,” she said.
According to her, dementia starts to develop in the brain as far as 20 years before onset.
“Alzheimer’s disease International (ADI) is calling on world governments and individuals to support initiatives for greater awareness,” she said.
Omokaro noted that dementia was one of the most significant global health and social crises in the 21st century, stressing that often diagnosis is made late.
She added that there was no cure for dementia and nearly 50 million people were currently living with dementia worldwide.
The expert also said that the figure was expected to reach 132 million by 2050 if effective risk-reduction strategies were not implemented.
“Acknowledging the seriousness of this global health epidemic, the World Health Assembly (the primary governing body of the World Health Organisation) adopted the Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017-2025 in May of this year.
“Less than 30 governments out of over 190 WHO member states have developed a plan on dementia.
“Government must act now to implement their own plans and policies to combat this serious and costly global epidemic.
“Investment in dementia research is critical, but so is support for those living with dementia and those who will develop the disease over the next few decades.
“It is important that the public learn how to recognise the symptoms of dementia and to take warning signs seriously and learning about dementia can also challenge the stigma and misinformation that currently surrounds the disease, which can stop or delay essential diagnosis.
“The plan is a comprehensive blueprint for global action, It requires specific commitments that all countries should make to respond to dementia.
“This should be done in areas such as risk reduction; diagnosis, treatment and care; research and innovation; dementia-friendly communities; and support for dementia carriers.
“It is critical to improve access to support and care for people with dementia and their families, especially in low and middle-income countries.
”While individual warning signs can be attributed to other factors, when multiple warning signs appear, regularly, it is important that they are taken seriously and medical advice is sought,” she said.
NAN reports that this year, the global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017-2025 was adopted by 194 member states of WHO during item 15.2 of the 70th session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) relations with the World Health Organisation vision is prevention, care and inclusion today, and cure tomorrow.
ADI believes that the key to winning the fight against dementia lies in a unique combination of global solutions and local knowledge. (NAN)
CSO/NNO/MST
Edited by Nick Nicholas/Muhammad Suleiman Tola