More research on dementia needed, says Health Adviser

Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum said on Monday that there should be more research on dementia in the country.

Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on dementia care and rights organised by the Alzheimer Society of Bangladesh, she highlighted the importance of gathering data to better understand the scope of the disease, which currently affects over 1.1 million people in the country.

“We should do more research on dementia. We need to collect accurate information to move forward with proper care and treatment,” she said during her address at the seminar, held at the conference room of the Investment Building in Agargaon.

The adviser stressed that research is crucial for making informed decisions and advancing dementia care in the country.

She also said that while the medical sector conducts research on various health topics, there is a clear need for more focus on dementia.

She pointed out that many people are under the impression that dementia is untreatable, but after attending the seminar and watching the keynote presentation, she was reassured that some forms of dementia, such as vascular dementia, could be prevented or treated with the right interventions.

"At first, I was upset thinking that there is no treatment for this disease. But after learning more, I realised that it's not entirely hopeless. There is hope for certain types of dementia, and in the future, with more research, there may be treatments developed here in Bangladesh,” she said.

The health adviser also emphasized the importance of increasing public awareness about dementia.

She called for more training for healthcare professionals and urged the public to be more empathetic in dealing with dementia patients. "We train doctors and nurses, but how much do we train ourselves and others in compassion?" she questioned.

She also suggested organising awareness campaigns at the community level, including in villages, schools, mosques, and madrasas, to promote understanding of dementia. "We need to reach people where they are, with seminars, workshops, and door-to-door initiatives. The ministry can provide support to make this happen," she added.