By Okechukwu Onuegbu

The Anambra State Commissioner of Social Welfare, Women and Children Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mezue, has called on the public to develop the habit of showing care to Alzheimer’s disease person.

Mezue, who made the call at Amawbia ,Awka South Council Area, in commemoration of the 2021 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day orgainsed by Alzheimer’s disease Foundation(ADF), said the elder have verse knowledge.

Mezu, repressed by Special Assistant to Gov.Willie Obiano, Mr. Onyeka Ebenebe, described the celebration as apt considering the importance of the elderly to the nation, even as he appreciated the ADF for its quest in caring and enlightening the people.

He said that the ministry is always ready to partner and adopt new ideas and initiatives that will better the life of the populace and improve the living standards from any group.

Ebenebe further stressed the need for more sensitisation of the citizenry for improved health, economic and social wellbeing of the elderly in the state.

He commended the Alzheimer’s disease Foundation for its enlightenment and called on relevant authorities and stakeholders to imbibe the attitude of caring for the elderly to help them live better lives.

Earlier, the convener, Iyom Josephine Anenih, the former minister of Women Affairs said Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills causing a general decline in cognitive ability.

Anenih, said that government cannot do everything alone, hence the need for people to invest in the upkeep of elderly people and pointed out that Alzheimer’s disease.

“Alzheimer’s disease affects five to eight percent of people above sixty years of age, it has no current cure but treatment for symptoms," she noted.

She said that a day Policy Dialogue was held with State Government Agencies and Relevant Stakeholders on Health, Social Well-being and Protection Policy for the Elderly in the State and expressed positive actions from the peopel.

Anenih said that Alzheimer’s disease Foundation, (ADF)is a non-governmental, non-political, charitable organisation founded in 2016,with a view to create awareness about the prevalence, prevention and possible cure of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in Nigerian communities.



Dr. Daniel Ezeanwu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development Partners, , defined the event as an eye opener to brainstorm on the prevalence and prevention of diseases that exist among the elderly.

“ We can leverage on the knowledge gained in the seminar to plan with proper care and statistics to save our elderly from biter death,” Ezeanwu said.

Dr. Henry Duru who presented a paper titled, Policy framework for Advancing the Health, Social Wellbeing and Protection of the Elderly, called for change of strategy towards caring for the elderly.

He said that health, economic and social wellbeing are major parts of the lives of the elderly that need concentrated attention and demand that such role need be filled.

Mr. Gab Okpalaeze , Director News and Current Affairs Department of Anambra Broadcasting Service, said that there are urgent needs to educate the populace of diseases associated with old age.

Okpalaeze, said that people should be well informed on what to know regarding old age and to disabuse their mind from attributing every disease to witchcraft.

Mr Charles Nworji, Director National Orientation Agency and Mr. Emma Elekwa, respectively commended the organizer for the good health exposure given to the public and assured to act on it.