WISH To Host Public Discussion on Alzheimer’s Disease in Education City

World Alzheimer’s Day event focuses on issues faced by people with disease and their families.

The World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), is to host a public event titled ‘Discussing Alzheimer’s’, which will explore the issues faced by people with Alzheimer’s disease, its prevalence in Qatar, and the support offered to sufferers and their caregivers.

The public event will take place on Thursday, September 21, from 10am to 12.30pm in the Al AaQool Hall in Qatar Foundation’s Recreation Center in Education City. Hosted by WISH, an initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, the event coincides with World Alzheimer’s Day and will come at the end of a week of Alzheimer’s-related activities organized by HMC. It will bring together a wide range of stakeholders, including healthcare professionals and caregivers of people with the disease. Following a welcome by Sultana Afdhal, Acting CEO of WISH, and Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad, Chair of Geriatrics and Long-term Care Department at HMC, specialists from HMC will give practical demonstrations of methods used to diagnose the disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and involves progressive damage to the brain. The word ‘dementia’ describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem solving, and language. Sufferers of Alzheimer’s disease may also experience changes in mood or behavior.

WISH’s research on Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia will be presented by Dr. Walid Qoronfleh, Director of Research and Policy, WISH, while a representative of the Ehsan, the Center for Empowerment and Elderly Care, will speak on the subject of family and community support.

Speaking ahead of the event, Sultana Afdhal said: “At WISH we are delighted to have been approached by Dr. Hanadi from HMC and asked if we would like to contribute to the efforts of HMC and the Ministry of Public Health to promote awareness of dementia, particularly but not exclusively, during HMC’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Week.
“WISH’s research into Alzheimer’s disease and dementia highlights the need to take an holistic approach to patient care and to involve all stakeholders in discussions relating to the disease wherever possible. We look forward to hearing many different viewpoints during the event.”