DOHA: World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), a global initiative of Qatar Foundation (QF) supported the first Ministerial Conference on Global Action Against Dementia organised by World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva.
Following the recent publication of WISH 2015 report ‘A Call To Action: The Global Response To Dementia Through Policy Innovation’, a WISH delegation took part in the forum, also supported by the UK’s Department of Health and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
The two-day meeting brought together more than 400 policymakers, healthcare experts and NGOs from 80 countries to address the increasing global threat posed by dementia and its impact on health and development.
The WISH team highlighted QF’s mission to inspire and promote healthcare development and reform through a global network of policymakers, academics and industry leaders.
Noor Al Sada, Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of Qatar to UN Office, told the meeting: “The incidence of dementia is rising at an alarming rate, most notably in lower- and middle-income countries, which account for the majority of new cases.
“Recognising this, Qatar was pleased to welcome some of the world’s leading dementia experts, many of whom are in this room, to Doha last month as part of the community of leaders convened by WISH.
“Qatar whole-heartedly embraces aspirations of this conference. We applaud WHO for convening it, with support of the UK and OECD.”
Participants signed a call for action against dementia, including raising the priority accorded to global action against dementia on the agendas of high-level forums and meetings of national and international leaders.
Dr Shekhar Saxena, Director, Department for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, WHO, and Mental Health Forum Co-chair, WISH, said, “Dementia is a burden and overwhelming not only for the individual who has it, but also for their caregivers, families and society. There is often a lack of awareness and understanding of dementia, resulting in stigmatisation and barriers to diagnosis and care.”
No treatments are available to cure or alter the progressive course of dementia although new therapies are being investigated in various stages of clinical trials.
the peninsula
