‘Urgent need for policies to target neurological disorders’

ASSOCHAM organises webinar on graceful ageing on World Alzheimer’s Day

Team L&M

Observing the World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21, apex industry body ASSOCHAM organised a webinar on ‘Graceful Ageing,’ with a view to raise awareness about of the Alzheimer’s, a chronic neurodegenerative disease, its common symptoms and risk factors as it can affect one’s memory, thinking and behaviour.

The webinar was a part of ASSOCHAM’s ‘Illness to Wellness,’ campaign supported by hygiene brand Savlon. A galaxy of doctors, speakers from the industry and neurology experts participated in the webinar and raised awareness about Alzheimer’s disease (AD), various forms of dementia and related mental disorders.

Among those present were Prof (Dr) Rajinder K Dhamija, Head of Neurology Department Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi; Dr Shamsher Dwivedee, Chairman Neurosciences and Director Clinical Services, Vimhans Nayati Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi; Mr Sailesh Mishra, Founder & President, Silver Innings Group and Founder, A1 Snehanjali Assisted Living Elder Care Home; Dr. Suvarna Alladi, Professor of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore; Dr Ritu Rana, Heading Mission-Health, HelpAge India; Anil Rajput, Chairman, ASSOCHAM CSR Council and Dr Rajesh Kesari, Founder and Director Total Care Control, Delhi-NCR who also moderated the panel discussion.

In his address, Prof (Dr) Dhamija noted that national policies and programmes specifically targeting epilepsy, neuro infections, dementia and neuro-degenerative diseases need to be planned by the government.

He also said that neurological diseases and mental disorders were becoming a serious public health crisis and emerging as major challenges to health care systems across the world.

Noting that neurological disease burden warrants urgent prioritisation of programmes centered around prevention and treatment, he cautioned that unless preparation, planning, and urgent steps for treatment and long-term care of an increasing population of neurologically affected people were instituted, this grim situation will tremendously pressure India’s healthcare system.

He also called upon the medical fraternity, including scientists, researchers and civil society to create awareness about brain health and assist government agencies and NGOs in providing treatment and prevention of neurological disorders.

Sharing his perspective, Dr Dwivedee spoke about the overall neglect towards brain as a part of general health awareness whereas it is one of the most important organs for a healthy living. “Brain performance needs closer assessment by general physicians, family members, friends, and colleagues to pick brain maladies early,” he said.

Sharing his thoughts, Mr Mishra said, “Government and Civil Society need to support in establishing, scaling, and evaluating dementia-friendly initiatives to foster societies where people with dementia and their caregivers can meaningfully participate. We all can together make dementia inclusive society.”

Asserting that it is painful to see the loved ones not recognizing you, Dr Rana stated that while AD can be quite harsh to deal with, care together with love and affection can help the patients live with dignity.

“It is very important to follow a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, daily exercise regime and sufficient sleep to facilitate a healthy aging process. Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol levels strictly need to be regulated and kept under control- Complications of these disease frequently are the causes of Mild Cognitive impairment which might lead to dementia in the elderly other than Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases,” said Dr Kesari.