DUBAI — The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) represented by Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital in Dubai, organized several activities and events in conjunction with World Alzheimer’s Day which is observed on Sept. 21 each year.

The event aims to raise awareness of community members about Alzheimer’s disease and the early diagnosis of it and the development of Alzheimer-related medical practices to achieve social and psychological empowerment.

Lighting up Dubai Frame in purple was one of the most prominent activities, which was held in cooperation with Lundbeck, with the aim of raising the awareness of visitors about Alzheimer's.

The ministry also organized a workshop for its employees on Alzheimer's, its symptoms, its treatment, and ways of prevention, delivered by Dr. Tariq Qasim, Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry.

At Al Amal Hospital, games and competitions for the elderly were organized by the nursing team in order to amuse elderly patients, while maintaining the precautionary and preventive measures.

This is in addition to handing out game theory books, such as crosswords and sudoku, and education visitors and staff members about how to boost memory and cognitive functions.

Enhancing mental health

Marking this occasion is part of the ministry’s efforts to enhance societal awareness and educate those supporting patients with Alzheimer’s about the nature of the disease and how to implement safe methods when dealing with patients.

MoHAP also continues its ongoing efforts to develop its services in line with the objectives of the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, including enhancing the mental health of individuals and providing world-class reinforced, therapeutic, and rehabilitation services, as well as achieving the requirements of the National Mental Health Program.

Specialized clinics

As part of its commitment to supporting Alzheimer patients, the ministry provides psychological and therapeutic services through specialized clinics in a supportive and stimulating environment for patients and their families.

This comes in line with MoHAP’s strategy to provide comprehensive and integrated health care in innovative and sustainable ways that guarantee the development of mental health programs and community prevention from various diseases, in line with the UAE vision 2021 and UAE Centennial 2071.

Helpline service

Among other activities was highlighting the “Ownak service” which aims to provide quality health services to ensure the welfare of the elderly; to promote their integration into the society; and to gain insights from their experiences, as well as to develop preventive, curative, and promotional services for the elderly across the Ministry’s facilities.

In addition, a clinical academic mental health staff has been designated for the elderly patients at Al-Amal Hospital to oversee the mental health services provided in the inpatients and outpatients, and home visits for senior citizens.

Further, a multidisciplinary mental health team is conducting scientific research in the elderly mental health according to scientific foundations and best practices in partnership with the Maudsley Health Group.

Al Amal Hospital has also dedicated the helpline service to shedding light on the elderly-related matters and diseases, in addition to providing guidance to caregivers via the telephone counseling hotline. — SG