Memory loss among elderly stands at 6.4 per cent, says Mwalimu
The minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Ms Ummy Mwalimu
What you need to know:
- A study conducted in Hai District in Kilimanjaro Region in 2014 found out that the problem of memory loss in elderly aged 70 and above had reached 6.4 percent.
Dodoma. Results of a new study on memory problemsshow that at least 6.4 per cent of people aged 70 and suffer from memory loss.
The study was conducted in Hai District, Kilimanjaro Region in 2014.
This was revealed today on Wednesday, November 14 in Parliament by the minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Ms Ummy Mwalimu, when responding to theprincipal question by MP RittaKabati (Special Seats, CCM).
MsKabatiwanted to know to how widespread the problems related to memory were and what strategies the government was using to control Alzheimer disease in the country.
Responding, Ms Mwalimusaid the problem of memory lossamong adults was widespread and involvedmany patients.
“The Alzheimer disease is believed to have been the main source of the brain memory problem amongelderly members of the society acrossthe world, contributing to 60 percent of all memory problems,” she said.
As to the magnitude of the problem in society, the minister said, the results of the study conducted in HaiDistrict, showed that it was big.
According the minister, the study findings showed that adults diagnosed with the memory ailment, 48 percent of the problem was due to the Alzheimer.
Minister Mwalimucalled upon society to support elderly members of the society so that they would not suffer much about the problems, as loneliness complicated the disease even more.
