Alarm over dementia crisis in Zimbabwe

Senators have called for urgent government action to address the growing burden of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in Zimbabwe, warning that thousands of elderly citizens are living without adequate support amid widespread stigma, limited healthcare services and the absence of a comprehensive national policy.

The calls were made during a Senate debate on a motion tabled by Angeline Tongogara, which highlighted dementia as an emerging public health challenge with significant social and economic implications.

Lawmakers from across the political divide described the condition as a largely overlooked crisis affecting not only elderly people but also families, caregivers and the broader healthcare system.

Teresa Kabondo said Zimbabwe was experiencing demographic changes as life expectancy improves, bringing new health challenges that require policy attention.

"Among them is the rising burden of dementia and Alzheimer's conditions that erode memory, cognition, behaviour and ultimately, a person's dignity and independence," she said.

Kabondo expressed concern that dementia remains poorly understood, noting that many cases across Africa go undiagnosed.

"Many families see symptoms like memory loss, confusion or personality changes as normal for ageing or worse as witchcraft or spiritual affliction.

"The result is stigma, neglect and isolation for people who need care and compassion," she said.

She urged Government to establish a National Dementia Strategy that would coordinate awareness campaigns, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation services and support for caregivers.

Annah Shiri said dementia was already affecting thousands of Zimbabweans and warned that the number of cases is expected to rise sharply in the coming decades.

"Currently, 27,377 individuals have been diagnosed with dementia," she said.

According to Shiri, projections suggest the number could exceed 80,000 by 2050, representing an increase of nearly 200 percent.

She said misconceptions about the disease continue to fuel stigma and neglect.

"Unfortunately, some affected individuals may even commit crimes and many are being neglected by their families," she said.

"We must educate our communities about dementia to foster acceptance and support for those affected."

Former Public Service minister Prisca Mupfumira described dementia as an issue that has received insufficient attention in national healthcare discussions.

She highlighted the challenges facing older Zimbabweans, including inadequate care facilities, poor pension support and limited specialised healthcare services.

"We have only a handful of government-supported residential facilities," Mupfumira said.

"The majority are supported or operated by NGOs, faith-based organisations or private entities."

She warned that Zimbabwe lacks the infrastructure and policy framework required to support a rapidly growing elderly population.

"Zimbabwe does not yet have the infrastructure, the funding, or the policy architecture to care for a rapidly ageing population," she said.

Mupfumira also drew attention to the burden placed on women, who often serve as primary caregivers for relatives living with dementia.

"When women bear the overwhelming majority of this burden without support, without policy recognition and without financial protection, we are effectively taxing our women for the failures of our public health system," she said.

She called for dementia-related healthcare provisions to be incorporated into the proposed National Health Insurance Bill and advocated stronger investment in prevention through healthy lifestyles and public education.

Apollonia Munzverengwi said a lack of public understanding was worsening the situation for many elderly people.

"Sometimes they say maybe the elderly person is not mentally sane. Sometimes other stories are said because people do not understand," she said.

Munzverengwi urged the Ministry of Health and Child Care to develop support programmes for families and caregivers.

"Sometimes the elderly are dumped by the roadside and at times they are neglected, but we need to understand that this is how dementia is and how it affects the elderly," she said.

Tawanda Bvumo described dementia as more than a medical issue, calling it a constitutional, social and humanitarian concern.

"Dementia is not merely a medical condition. It is a social, economic and humanitarian challenge," he said.

He argued that misconceptions surrounding memory loss and behavioural changes often result in delayed diagnosis and unnecessary suffering.

"The measure of a civilised society lies not only in how it nurtures the young, but also in how it honours, protects and cares for its elderly citizens.

"A nation that forgets its elderly loses part of its own memory," Bvumo said.

Throughout the debate, senators repeatedly called for a comprehensive national strategy to address dementia, including increased public awareness, improved access to specialised healthcare services, stronger support for caregivers and greater investment in research.

The lawmakers warned that without decisive intervention, Zimbabwe could face a significant increase in dementia cases over the coming decades, placing growing pressure on families, healthcare institutions and social welfare systems.

They argued that early action would not only improve the quality of life for affected individuals but also help the country prepare for the challenges associated with an ageing population.