IMPHAL, September 21: As in other parts of the world, the World Alzheimer’s Day, 2013 was today observed in several parts of the state.
The North East Regional Level Programme World Alzheimer’s Month, 2013 under the theme “Dementia: A journey of caring” was observed at the Lecture Hall 2, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences sponsored by the Department of Social Welfare, Govt of Manipur.
The observation was jointly organized by the Jawaharlal Nehru Nurses Association, National Alliance for Elder’s People Livelihood, Research Advocacy and Chronic Diseases of India & Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India, Manipur Chapter.
Speaking at the function, Md Amin Shah Parliamentary Secretary, MOBC & SC, and Science & Technology said that people who have suffered a lot when in their younger years and suffer from anxiety and forgetfulness are more prone to Alzheimer.
He said the Alzheimer is more prone amongst men and it is diagnosed or detected after one passes the age of 65.
Md Amin Shah elaborated on the need to spread awareness on the issue to every nook and corner of the state. Alzheimer is incurable but it can be controlled upto an extent with proper care and attention, he went on to say that proper care and attention acts as medicine to someone who is affected by Alzheimer.
In today’s world, we have nurseries or day care centres for children, likewise, there is also an urgent need to open such centres for the elderly and help them cope with their ageing, he elaborated and appealed to the public to take a tab of all those suffering from Alzheimer in their locality and provide care to them during the early stages.
The civil organizations in collaboration with the concern departments should create awareness on the issue and help make the state an Alzheimer free state, he appealed.
Today’s observation was also attended by former Chairperson, Manipur State Social Welfare Board, RK Nayansana Devi; Professor Department of Medicine, JNIMS Prof Y Ibopishak Singh; Dy Director Social Welfare department, Th Joychandra Singh; Vice Chairperson & Scientific Chief Patron, NAEPLRA Chronic Diseases of India & Ardsi Manipur Chapter Dr K Shantibala Devi, Neuro Super Specialist, Dr N Hemanta Singh and Nursing Superintendent, JNIMS P Landhoni Devi as president and guests of honour respectively.
Later, the Nurses of the JNIMS took out a memory walk inside the hospital campus.
Meanwhile, the Indian Psychiatric Society, Manipur State Branch and the Department of Psychiatry, RIMS in collaboration with the Senior Citizens for Society, Manipur and Manipur State Pensioners’ Union also observed the day at the Jubilee Hall, RIMS.
Addressing the function, national vice president, Indian Doctors for Peace and Development, Dr M Nara Singh said patients suffering from Alzheimer should be encouraged and should never be looked down.
Social problems including social tensions and stress, economic problems and other problems witnessed in the state have today ensured an increase in the number of people affected by Alzheimer, he lamented.
“Violence is also a part of Dementia”, he said before adding that violent activities happening daily in the state has only created tensions amongst the people of the state which in the long run is a main reason for someone being affected by the disease.
He further expressed the need for awareness programs on the issue and for a good doctor-patient relationship in order to control the disease.
It is high time to find a way to eradicate the disease from the society, he said.