Stakeholders Advocate Increased Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness

Caring Lot International Initiative (CLII), and National Association of Seadogs(NAS), Sahara Deck, yesterday advocated stronger collaboration among stakeholders to increase Alzheimer’s disease awareness campaign.

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behaviour. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.

The call was made in Abuja at an event to mark the 2025 World Alzheimer’s Day, organised by CLII, NAS and Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP on the sidelines of the event, chief executive officer, CLII, Mrs Lawunmi Ismail, explained that raising awareness for the disease is necessary, as many Nigerians especially in the rural areas, lack information on dementia related illnesses.

“We want to raise awareness, because all over the world people take care of their elderly ones.We want policy makers in Nigeria to know that there is a disease that is not talked about that is affecting our elderly ones.

“So we are taking the lead and urging policy makers to join hands with us to create more awareness so people will know how to provide care and effectively manage the disease.”

Also speaking, Prof Adesoji Adesugba,1st deputy president, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, “We need to educate people on what to do when it comes to things like Alzheimer’s.It is a degenerative kind of brain situation that most people don’t know is common in Nigeria.So it is important to let people know of the existence of this disease.”

Chike Onyia, president of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Sahara Deck, Abuja chapter, noted that many elderly Nigerians live with the disease but don’t seem to understand it, so there is a need to enlighten people on the disease and educate them on how to manage it.

The speakers unanimously said it was unfortunate that those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease suffer stigma, including children, out of ignorance, mocking them.