(MENAFN - The Peninsula) Fazeena Saleem | The Peninsula
In a new initiative to establish prevalence of dementia in Qatar as well as to help early diagnosis of the disease, a national survey has been launched.
‘National Community Health Assessment Survey for the Elderly -Assess Your Memory' is being implemented by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) together with the Department of Geriatrics and Long Term Care and the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC).
Qatar has been Chosen as one of the Member States by World Health Organization (WHO) for the Global Dementia Observatory ,this is to monitor Prevalence of Dementia and help plan and Implement Dementia specific Policies in the Country.
Dr Hanadi Al Hamad, Chairperson of Department of Geriatrics and Long Term Care is the Ministry's Focal Point for World Health Organization - Global Dementia Observatory (GDO) and care of Elderly in Qatar.
The ongoing survey was launched on November 26, 2017, in association with all stakeholders of Global Dementia Observatory -Qatar.
As part of the survey all people aged 65 years and above are encouraged to undergo a simple memory screening at one of the six designated health centres. 'Dementia is a growing problem among the elderly, currently we have about 47 million people with the condition across the world according to the Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) and WHO.
By 2050, it will touch around 130 million. In Qatar also the elderly population is growing as the life expectancy is increasing. While the impact of dementia is increasing, the stigma and misinformation is continuing.
Because of these reasons we find many people seeking medical help only at the late stage of the condition, Dr Mani Chandran, Senior Consultant Geriatric Psychiatrist, Department of Geriatrics at HMC told The Peninsula.
'Therefore, this survey has been initiated to know the prevalence and equally help with early diagnosis of dementia. We would encourage everyone 65 years and above to do the screening, he said.
The survey initially aims at assessing 2,000 people to find the prevalence of Dementia. It also aims at early diagnosis, treatment and enhancing the wellbeing of the patient.
A free memory assessment can be done at health centres in Omar bin Khatab , Rawdat Al Khail, Leabaib, Umm Slal, Abu Nakhla and Mesaimeer.
If any memory concerns found during the screening, the patient will be referred to the Memory Clinic at Rumailah Hospital of HMC for further assessment. 'If person presents any memory problems we refer to the clinic for a more detailed assessment. Because memory problems can be associated with other medical conditions as well. So a holistic assessment is important to come to a conclusion with the diagnosis. If the person is diagnosed with dementia, we will initiate an appropriate treatment plan. It will ensure that the we minimize the risks and enhance the overall wellbeing of the person, said Dr Chandran.
Dementia is a term to specify group of symptoms which include decline in memory, thinking ability, and associated behaviour changes severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities. This is caused by different diseases affecting the brain.
Commonest being Alzheimer's Disease, also can be caused by Strokes and other medical conditions.
'There is also a pre-dementia phase, if recognised early, then we can significantly delay both the onset of symptoms and the progression of dementia through a combination of lifestyle changes, medications and family education/support, said Dr Shafi Hashmath Ulla Khan, Program Director and Consultant Geriatrician at HMC.
Dr Shafi said that at present, two memory clinics are open at the Rumailah Hospital and on an average up to eight to ten people are seen per week at a clinic. Each clinic has a geriatrician, Geriatric-Psychiatry consultant, Fellow ,occupational therapist and Pharmacists who holistically and comprehensively assess and manage older adults presenting with memory problems — dementia — and referred by PHCC and any hospitals across the country.
In addition to the memory, falls and general geriatric clinics, department of Geriatrics provides services at various aspects of an older adult's journey through their illness.
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