Health Minister launches awareness event for Alzheimer's patients

Kuwait City -- Health Minister Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi launched today, Friday, a public awareness event for Alzheimer’s patients at The Avenues Mall, organized by Ibn Sina Hospital under the Ministry of Health in collaboration with several associations affiliated with the Kuwait Medical Association.

Dr. Lamea Al-Sarraf, a consultant in brain and nerve radiology at Ibn Sina Hospital, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on the sidelines of her participation in the event that “the awareness campaign, held in cooperation with the associations for brain and nerve radiology, neurology, and geriatrics, will last for one day and aims to enhance community awareness of the disease.” She added that the event includes simplified interactive tests and games that provide visitors with initial indicators of brain and memory health.

Dr. Al-Sarraf emphasized the pivotal role of the hospital’s Memory Clinic in the early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, which contributes to improving the quality of healthcare provided to patients. She explained that the clinic comprises a team of consultants specializing in neurology, geriatrics, and psychiatry, and highlighted the vital role of brain and nerve imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the application of artificial intelligence technologies in achieving accurate diagnosis.

For his part, Dr. Abdullah Al-Azizi, professor and consultant in neuropsychiatry and head of the Psychiatry Department at Kuwait University, representing the Psychiatry Association, stated in a similar statement that the risk of memory problems can be reduced by up to 45 percent through brain stimulation and adopting comprehensive healthy lifestyles. He clarified that, based on scientific studies, prevention and reduction of memory issues can be achieved by maintaining sleep quality, engaging in regular physical exercise, and regularly monitoring blood pressure and diabetes levels, in addition to treating psychological disorders and reducing stress.

He added that Kuwait’s healthcare system provides the latest pharmaceutical treatments and specialized cognitive training programs that contribute to slowing disease progression and delaying symptoms by approximately 40 percent, provided there is early diagnosis and intervention. (End) M.N.M. / M.K.H.