Health Minister launches awareness event for Alzheimer's patients

Health Minister Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi launched on Friday the 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. Lamiaa Al-Sarraf, a neuroradiology consultant at Ibn Sina Hospital, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on the sidelines of her participation that the one-day awareness event, held in cooperation with the associations for neuroradiology, neurology, and geriatric medicine, aims to enhance public awareness of the disease. She added that the event includes simplified tests and interactive 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. In this regard, she noted that the clinic comprises a team of specialists in neurology, geriatric medicine, and psychiatry, and highlighted the vital role of neuroradiology, 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 of 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 integrated healthy lifestyles. He explained that, based on scientific studies, prevention and reduction of memory issues can be achieved by maintaining sleep quality, regular physical exercise, and routine monitoring of blood pressure and diabetes levels, as well as treating psychological disorders and reducing stress.

He added that Kuwait’s healthcare system provides the latest pharmacological 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.