Dementia epidemic threatens Bangladesh: 11 people lakh affected, mostly women

Health experts are raising concerns over a looming dementia epidemic, highlighting the lack of proper treatment and care for those affected by the condition. As of 2020, around 11 lakh people in the country were living with dementia, with over 75% of them being women.

This alarming statistic was discussed during a seminar titled "Dementia Care and Conservation of Universal Human Rights", held today (25 November) at the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) conference room in Agargaon, Dhaka.

The event, jointly organised by the NSDA and the Alzheimer Society of Bangladesh, brought together health professionals, policymakers, and experts in dementia care to address the growing crisis.

Public health expert Halida Hanum Akhter presented a research paper at the seminar, sharing that out of the 11 lakh dementia patients, 2.8 lakh were men (24.5%) and 8.3 lakh were women (75.5%). The number of patients is expected to reach 13.07 lakh by 2025, she warned.

"To protect women from this disease, we need to raise social awareness," she added.

The World Health Organization defines dementia as a group of diseases that impair memory, thinking, and daily functioning, with symptoms worsening over time. While it primarily affects the elderly, not everyone will experience it as they age.

In her speech as the chief guest, Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum said, "There should be more research on dementia at the national level. With a clear understanding, it will be easier to provide services for patients. We conduct research in many areas of medicine, and research on dementia is also important."

She added, "To comfort dementia patients, it is crucial to understand them with sincerity and empathise with their suffering. Caregivers must have this empathy, and we need training or education for them."

She also assured that the government would fully support dementia care management.

The seminar was attended by Prof Nazmul Hossain, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services, as a special guest. He stressed the importance of including dementia treatment and the development of trained personnel in the medical education curriculum.

Other notable guests included Nasreen Afroz, executive chairman of the NSDA, Dr Badrul Islam, a specialist in Neurology and Neuro-electrophysiology, and Hasina Momotaz, the national professional officer at the World Health Organization. Nilanjana Maulik, secretary general of the Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society of India, Kolkata Chapter, also joined the seminar online.