Dhaka: Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum today emphasized the urgent need for more research on dementia, highlighting that over 11 lakh people are affected by this condition in Bangladesh. She stressed the importance of obtaining accurate information to enhance the care and treatment provided to dementia patients. Her remarks came during a seminar on dementia care held at the Board of Investment (BOI) building in Agargaon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the seminar was organized by the Alzheimer Society of Bangladesh and underscored the degenerative nature of dementia, primarily affecting individuals over the age of 65. Nurjahan Begum pointed out that while the medical sector explores various health issues, there is a distinct necessity to focus more on dementia to advance understanding and management of the disease.
The health adviser also addressed the significance of raising public awareness about dementia. She noted that, in the absence of a definitive cure, increasing awarenes
s remains the most effective means of supporting patients. Despite the current lack of treatment options, she expressed optimism that dedicated research efforts could eventually lead to the development of effective therapies for dementia.
The seminar featured a keynote presentation by Mohammad Azizul Haque, Secretary General of the Alzheimer Society of Bangladesh. The discussion also included contributions from Dr. Halida Hanum Akther of Johns Hopkins University and Dr. Nazmul Hosain, Director General of Medical Education, under the chairmanship of Nasreen Afroz, Executive Chairman of the National Skills Development Authority.