Punjab: No program organized to celebrate Alzheimer’s month

Punjab: With the Central government yet to develop a national dementia plan, the globally celebrated Alzheimer’s month has failed to attract the attention of any organisation. No government or non-government organisation organised any programme to express concern towards improving the lifestyle of the elderly in the region suffering from the disorder. Most of the healthcare workers in private healthcare centres besides government hospitals and dispensaries showed ignorance about this year’s theme “Time to act on dementia, time to act on Alzheimer’s”. This is an example of blatant disregard for the warning given during the World Health Assembly held in May about the need for developing a national dementia plan.

Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) has also called for a 10-year extension of the WHO’s global action plan on public health response to dementia, which was adopted in 2017. A survey conducted by The Tribune revealed that no government or non-government organisation here has bothered to take up any activity to observe the global Alzheimer’s month – September 1-30 – or Alzheimer’s Day on September 21. However, office-bearers and activists of some social organisations have now announced the launch of a campaign to work for the welfare of elderly people suffering from the disorder after coordinating with their families. Since prevention and treatment of the disease is one of the seven areas of focus, we will organise programmes in which elderly persons can share information and enjoy organised assistance provided by the organisers,” said chief advisor RID Amjad Ali.
Assistant governor-elect Surinder Pal Sofat said the Ahmedgarh Rotary Club, led by president Venu Gopal Sharma and secretary Ashok Verma, has drafted a programme. Under the programme, enthusiasts will organise meetings with Alzheimer’s patients to motivate them to share their experiences. “So far we have not received any direction to celebrate Alzheimer’s month or day. However, we will provide all possible help to any organisation that decides to hold any event for the welfare of patients in September or the months thereafter,” said Dr Jagjit Singh, SMO Civil Hospital, Malerkotla. The risk of Alzheimer’s disease has increased among the elderly due to the increase in life expectancy. In India, the number has already crossed 3 million. However, lifestyle changes and adequate counselling by medical experts can help in the early onset of the disease and improve the quality of life.