+ A
A -
Catherine W Gichuki
Doha
Qatar joined the world to mark the World Alzheimer's Day on Monday by lighting pillars along Corniche and major landmarks in purple. World Alzheimer’s Day is marked on September 21 and September is World Alzheimer’s month.
The event was aimed at raising awareness about the condition to curb the stigma that is associated with the condition.
It is worth noting that dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability and it is considered as the leading cause of disability and dependability of the elderly. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia.
Speaking to media persons Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Senior Consultant Geriatric Psychiatrist Dr Mani Chandran said that all the activities were related to Qatar National Dementia Plan and Qatar was the first country in the Arab region to have the plan. “This evening Qatar is going to be turned purple. We have a stretch of Corniche pillars turning purple as well as other major landmarks including Museum of Islamic Art, National Museum of Qatar, Katara, Airport Express Highway, The Torch, Sheraton, among others. All these major landmarks are going to be turned to purple to support the noble cause of Alzheimer’s. Purple is Qatar's colour of Alzheimers.”
Dr Chandran said the event was aimed at raising awareness for the condition and even though it's been a century since Alzheimer's disease was first recognised in 1907 it still holds social stigma. “The stigma limits the patients and their near and dear ones to seek help with the myths and misconceptions that surrounds the condition, therefore, raising awareness will enhance acceptance of the condition, acceptance will enhance better services and better care. This is not only in Qatar but around the globe and today countries have tried different ways to raise awareness.”
He said that during this month they have had a number of events and on Monday had Qatar-Oman care-givers event. This is the first time we have gone across the nation and learning from each other, sharing knowledge, experiences and doing better for the community. So this morning we had under Dr Hanadi Al Hamad leadership and Dr Hamed from Oman, we had the joint care-givers event. We have another major event coming under her leadership, as you know Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad is the National Lead for Healthy Ageing, she is the Focal Lead for Dementia in Qatar where she is associated with both health organizations.”
Dr Chandran added that September 30, they will have a major event where students from Qatar university, Hamad Bin Khalifa University and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, will joining with clinicians from across the two nations (Qatar and Oman) including geriatricians, internal medicine doctors, neurologists, the psychiatrists across two countries. And they all are going to listen to two international experts. “We have the likes of Professor John Hardy from UK Dementia Research Institute, who is actually the brain prize winner of 2018, joining Professor Henry Brodaty from Australia, who is leading in risk reduction.”
Doha
Qatar joined the world to mark the World Alzheimer's Day on Monday by lighting pillars along Corniche and major landmarks in purple. World Alzheimer’s Day is marked on September 21 and September is World Alzheimer’s month.
The event was aimed at raising awareness about the condition to curb the stigma that is associated with the condition.
It is worth noting that dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability and it is considered as the leading cause of disability and dependability of the elderly. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia.
Speaking to media persons Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Senior Consultant Geriatric Psychiatrist Dr Mani Chandran said that all the activities were related to Qatar National Dementia Plan and Qatar was the first country in the Arab region to have the plan. “This evening Qatar is going to be turned purple. We have a stretch of Corniche pillars turning purple as well as other major landmarks including Museum of Islamic Art, National Museum of Qatar, Katara, Airport Express Highway, The Torch, Sheraton, among others. All these major landmarks are going to be turned to purple to support the noble cause of Alzheimer’s. Purple is Qatar's colour of Alzheimers.”
Dr Chandran said the event was aimed at raising awareness for the condition and even though it's been a century since Alzheimer's disease was first recognised in 1907 it still holds social stigma. “The stigma limits the patients and their near and dear ones to seek help with the myths and misconceptions that surrounds the condition, therefore, raising awareness will enhance acceptance of the condition, acceptance will enhance better services and better care. This is not only in Qatar but around the globe and today countries have tried different ways to raise awareness.”
He said that during this month they have had a number of events and on Monday had Qatar-Oman care-givers event. This is the first time we have gone across the nation and learning from each other, sharing knowledge, experiences and doing better for the community. So this morning we had under Dr Hanadi Al Hamad leadership and Dr Hamed from Oman, we had the joint care-givers event. We have another major event coming under her leadership, as you know Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad is the National Lead for Healthy Ageing, she is the Focal Lead for Dementia in Qatar where she is associated with both health organizations.”
Dr Chandran added that September 30, they will have a major event where students from Qatar university, Hamad Bin Khalifa University and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, will joining with clinicians from across the two nations (Qatar and Oman) including geriatricians, internal medicine doctors, neurologists, the psychiatrists across two countries. And they all are going to listen to two international experts. “We have the likes of Professor John Hardy from UK Dementia Research Institute, who is actually the brain prize winner of 2018, joining Professor Henry Brodaty from Australia, who is leading in risk reduction.”
