Alzheimer's Pakistan

12th Asia Pacific Conference of Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI)

Alzheimer’s Pakistan in collaboration with Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) jointly hosted the 12th Asia Pacific Conference of Alzheimer’s Disease International from Nov 7-10, 2010 at Avari Hotel, Lahore, Pakistan. This event brought together scientists, clinicians, care professionals, family caregivers, volunteers and people with dementia to examine achievements and priorities in Alzheimer's research and various techniques in the management and care of people with dementia.

The four day event was full of activity. Day one started with the inauguration of the conference by the Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education, Ms Samina Khalid Ghurki. Speaking at the conference inauguration, the Federal Minister noted that "it is alarming that every seven seconds there is a new case of dementia in the world and there are more than one million patients with dementia and Alzheimer's in Pakistan and the number of these patients will rise significantly in the near future, a fact that my government realizes." She commented that the Federal Ministry for Social Welfare will be coordinating with Alzheimer's Pakistan to initiate a comprehensive dementia strategy in the country.

Marc Wortmann, Executive Director of Alzheimer’s Disease International, gave an overview of dementia globally. This was followed by the Alzheimer's University in the afternoon, which continued till the evening of the second day. The Alzheimer's University offered an opportunity for the visiting country representatives to share information and experiences. Sessions on 'Successfully advocating for people with dementia and their carers'; 'Delivering successful services for people with dementia' and 'Working with volunteers' were conducted by Alzheimer's Pakistan, Alzheimer's Australia WA, Alzheimer's Association Japan and the Lanka Alzheimer's Foundation.

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On Day three, two workshops were held simultaneously, one for the caregivers and the other for general practioners. Both the workshops had high attendance. However, the workshop conducted by the staff of Alzheimer's Australia WA for caregivers had very interactive participation as it gave an opportunity to share information, ideas and thoughts. This was the first time they had an opportunity to share their individual experiences with people who could understand their feelings.

Day four started with more than four hundred participants attending the conference, which included doctors, psychologists, family caregivers, volunteers and social workers. The delegates were from Australia, Japan, UK, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Presentations and sessions covered topics including diagnosis and treatment, advances in the treatment of dementia, care management, quality of care, family support programs, ethical & legal issues, activities for people with dementia and research in dementia.

The conference ended on a good note when Marc Wortmann complimented the organizers by saying that the Lahore Conference was one of the best regional meetings that he has attended. After the conference, the Governor of Punjab, Mr. Salman Taseer met the delegation of Alzheimer's Disease International and Alzheimer's Pakistan and received the World Alzheimer's Report 2009 on behalf of the Government of Pakistan.

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