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Hyderabad, Date:09.09.2010
Alzheimer's Disease: CM Directs officials to open more Memory Clinics
Assures all assistance to the ARDSI in creating awareness
Memory walk at Necklace Road on 12-9-2010
CM Asks Health Dept. to chalk out a plan of action
HYDERABAD: The Chief Minister Dr K Rosaiah today directed the officials to start more 'Memory Clinics' in Hospitals to help the increasing number of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease. He asked the Health Department to chalk out a plan of action to help not only the people suffering from this disease but also give all help and  training to those who attend on the patients, since the patients are mostly aged people who deserve all care and concern at their advanced age. He said the State Government would provide all assistance to the Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) and other such organisations in creating awareness about the dreaded disease and its after-care and treatment.

The Chief Minister promised the required financial assistance from the Government for expanding the activities of the Memory Clinics for helping the patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

The Chief Minister asked the Health Department to convene a meeting of the Neurologists in the city to discuss and chalk out a plan to treat the Alzheimer's disease and detect it at an early stage and also create awareness among the people. Dr Rosaish said that people at an advanced age need all care and concern and this becomes all the more imperative when they suffer from Alzheimer's disease etc.

The Chief Minister discussed in brief about the Alzheimer's disease and related issues with Special Chief Secretary, Health, J Satyanarayana, Principal Secretary, Energy, Suthirtha Bhattacharya, Principal Secretary, Finance, L V Subramaniam, Secretary, Health, Dr. P.V.Ramesh, President of  the ARDSI and Head of the Memory Clinic and famous Neurologist at NIMS, Dr Alladi Suvarna and others at Secretariat. The Chief Minister was informed that ARDSI is organizing a ‘Memory Walk' on the occasion of the World Alzheimer’s Day from Sanjeevaiah Park to Jal Vihar on Necklace Road on September 12, on the theme of 'We are our Memories'. The objective of the Memory Walk conducted annually by the ADRSI was to focus attention on spreading awareness among the people. Pullela Gopichand, a prominent sports personality, is also participating in the walk. The objective of the Memory Walk conducted annually by the ADRSI was to focus attention on spreading awareness among the people.

Apart from these senior officials, Commissioner, GHMC, Sameer Sharma and the prominent sports personality, Pullela Gopichand are also participating in the walk. Hundreds of campaigners against the Alzheimer's Disease and community leaders for better society are also participating in the event to support patients and affected families.

The officials and Dr Suvarna explained to the Chief Minister about the Alzheimer's disease and the treatment available now. Dr Suvarna thanked the Chief Minister for his concern over the pathetic conditions of the Alzheimer's disease patients and assured that the ARDSI will work in coordination with the Health Department in combating the problem.

The Health officials informed the Chief Minister that Andhra Pradesh Government has ushered in qualitative and quantitative initiatives to spread awareness and provide medical and psychological support to those who suffer from the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The Chief Minister said every possible initiative will be taken up by the Government to contain the incidence of the disease which led to 10 classic warning signs in behavior including memory loss etc., among aged persons in the State. “Since there is no treatment  so far for complete cure of the Alzheimer's disease, the State Government is committed to provide improvised Medicare in old age homes and infrastructure in Government hospitals to facilitate the persons affected by Alzheimer’s disease among rural poor", said Dr.Rosaiah.

A.Suvarna, President of ADRSI, Deccan Chapter informed the Chief Minister that there were 4.48 million people in India affected by Alzheimer’s disease and their number is expected to increase to an estimated six million by 2040. The ten symptoms of AD are memory loss, difficulty in performing familiar tasks, problems with language, disorientation to time and place, poor or decreased judgment, problems with abstract thinking, misplacing things, changes in mood or behavior, changes in personality and loss of initiative.