Doha turns purple to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s

Doha: Qatar joined the world yesterday to raise awareness of and challenge the stigma that surrounds dementia by participating in World Alzheimer’s Month, the international campaign held each September. 

Several online events and awareness initiatives are being held under the global campaign theme of ‘Let’s Talk About Dementia’. As part of the events, landmark buildings were lit up in purple to mark the World Alzheimer’s Day yesterday. Iconic buildings across the Doha Corniche including the Museum of Islamic Art and Doha Sheraton as well as the Ras Abu Aboud Street were lit with purple lights to spread awareness of and celebrate the lives of Qatar’s caregivers and those in the community diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

A joint educational webinar was hosted by Qatar and Oman with the participation of Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad, Qatar’s National Lead for Healthy Ageing, Senior Consultant Geriatrician and Medical Director Rumailah Hospital and Qatar Rehabilitation Institute of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), as well as Dr. Hamed Al Sinawi, Senior Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist and Chairman Oman Alzheimer’s Society.

The event was designed for families and caregivers dealing with someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Also a symbolic gathering was held at Al Bidda Park, with the participation of a limited number of families and caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease, officials from HMC and others. 

Health officials, and family members and caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease at Al Bidda Park to mark World Alzheimer’s Day yesterday. Pic: aBDUL bASIT/ The Peninsula 

“It’s been a century since the Alzheimer’s disease was first recognised, but still there is social stigma. With the myths and misconceptions that surround the Alzheimer’s disease, raising awareness will enhance acceptance of the condition. Acceptance will enhance better services, better care,” said Dr. Mani Chandran, Senior Consultant Geriatric Psychiatrist at HMC.

He also said that Qatar has been striving hard to ensure all its residents have access to quality healthcare, and the country continuously updates and improves its healthcare services and related support. “Qatar is one of the few developed nations, and the only Arab country, working on a dementia plan for its local population because it recognises the huge impact dementia can have in society,” he said. 

The National Dementia Plan 2018-2022 aims to establish a framework for future dementia care, planning and delivery to make a difference in the lives of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are often used interchangeably to describe several symptoms and issues related to brain health and functioning; however, Alzheimer’s is a specific disease, whereas dementia describes a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, reasoning, or other thinking skills. In Qatar, over 4,400 people over the age of 60 may have dementia. This figure may rise tenfold to over 41,000 people by the year 2050 if no cure or improved prevention takes place, according to the UN.