NGO set to address gaps in care of people with Parkinson’s Disease

A non-governmental organisation, Adewunmi Desalu Parkinson’s Foundation (ADPF), has set out to address gaps in care and management of people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) in Nigeria.

The Foundation said this during its first Parkinson’s Disease symposium to commemorate the post-humous 80th birthday of Dr. Adewunmi Desalu, with the theme “Parkinson’s Disease in Nigeria; Prevalence, Challenges in Management and Impact.

A Consultant Neurologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Dr. Ikechukwu Aganweze, while addressing the audience at the symposium, said over 10 million people globally are suffering from this disease and the increase in the incidence of PD align with the growth of an aging population.

According to him, only five per cent to 10 per cent of patients are diagnosed before the age of 50 years, saying age is the single most important risk factor for PD.

Aganweze said that most patients are under-diagnosed, lack access to sustainable and affordable drugs and treatment, lack of medical supervision, lack of awareness.

He urged the government to create awareness of PD in all general hospitals, educate people on the disease, fund researches, train more neurologists and equip hospitals with new technologies.

Chairman, Board of Trustees, ADPF, Morin Desalu, said the organisation has a vision of providing care and support for patients, partners and families to help achieve the highest quality of life through compassion.

She added that the organisation is aimed to create a network of support groups of PD heroes, caregivers and families across Africa.