Stigmatisation: Ex-minister seeks increased sensitisation to Alzheimer disease

A former Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Josephine Anenih, has called for more sensitization to Alzheimer disease, to end the stigmatisation of persons affected with such.

Mrs Anenith, who is the founder of Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation (ADF), made the call at a memorial lecture organized in honour of Mr Ignatius Akubude, at Amawbia in Awka South Local Government.

She said Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation is a non-governmental, non-political and charitable organization working to help increase knowledge, carry enlightenment programmes and reduce the risk of developing dementia in communities.

According to her, the disease is not hereditary, adding that it mostly affects people above 60 years of age and that an increase in awareness will help reduce the cycle of ignorance.

A Professor of Psychiatric and Mental Health, Mr Richard Uwakwe, in his lecture titled, “Even if I forget, forget me not”, disclosed that there is no permanent cure for the disease, adding that its symptoms include, losing track of time, becoming lost in familiar places, and repeating questions.

Professor Uwakwe recommended that to prevent the disease everyone should go for a periodic check, regular exercise, and controlling body weight.

He further said that to help prolong the life of an affected person, everybody needs to show tender loving care, avoid stigmatization, and enjoined those diagnosed to visit hospitals for proper care and management.

One of the participants, Mrs Bridget Nwume, noted that she had no idea of the disease until the lecture, and promised to impact the knowledge garnered to others.

Alzheimer is a chronic disease that affects the brain cells and destroys memory and other important mental functions.