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Make dementia a priority, Govt urged
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Today the World Health Organisation releases the first ever major report on dementia.
The report released today by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) calls upon governments, policymakers and other stakeholders to make dementia a global public health priority.
The Gibraltar Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group (GADSG) recognise the excellent work carried out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) in relation to the creation of awareness of dementia worldwide. It urges Gibraltar’s Minister for Health and the Minister for Social Services to encourage the recently launched Gibraltar Dementia Strategy Group to take guidance from the WHO report and incorporate recommendations into their Dementia Strategy Plan.
Furthermore GADSG calls upon the Gibraltar Government to make Dementia a public health and social care priority. Funding should be ring fenced to provide much needed resources and facilities and major investment should be made in the training of professionals, nurses and carers specialising in dementia. Dementia patients and carers have the right to expect the same health and social care that other sectors of the community receive and which enables them to live in a dignified manner.
GADSG is committed to the improvement of facilities and services for dementia patients in Gibraltar and believe they can have a favourable input into the formulation and implementation of plans by the Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA) and the policies, laws and services that are related to the care of dementia patients.
GADSG aims to create an awareness of the ever increasing problem locally and calls on the GHA and Care Agency to conduct an Awareness Campaign that involves both the professionals in the Health and Social Services and the community at large. This would achieve a better understanding of dementia and reduce the stigma associated with the disease. At the same time it would improve the support offered to patients, their families and carers.
They add: We must act NOW. The incidence of dementia is on the increase and the GHA must determine the extent of the dementia problem in Gibraltar and tackle it effectively.
*For further information, please contact:
Gibraltar Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group, gadsg@gibtelecom.net Tel: 56001422
PO Box 1196 Gibraltar
*How to obtain a copy of the report:
Dementia: A Public Health Priority is available for download at address
11-04-12
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