Dementia cases in Zimbabwe could triple by 2050

ZIMBABWE has been urged to strengthen early diagnosis, treatment and support systems for people living with dementia as the country confronts a growing but often under-recognised public health challenge.

The call comes as the world marks World Alzheimer's Month this September, an international campaign aimed at raising awareness about dementia and challenging misconceptions surrounding the condition.

World Alzheimer's Day is commemorated annually on September 21, with this year's campaign running under the theme: "The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters."

The Zimbabwe Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Association (Zarda) said timely diagnosis could help people living with dementia and their families access appropriate treatment, care and support while also confronting the stigma associated with the condition.

Zarda chairperson Kudzai Mpunzwana said this year's campaign would focus on the importance of early diagnosis while drawing attention to people who may be at risk or living with dementia before obvious symptoms emerge.

"This September, we will seek to tackle the persistent stigma and discrimination surrounding dementia by shining a spotlight on the timely and important issue of early diagnosis under the theme: ‘The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters'," she said.

"The campaign will seek to raise awareness of the benefits that a diagnosis can provide to those living with the condition, alongside carers and the wider society. As research advances, we will also highlight the emerging at-risk groups and pre-symptomatic individuals."

Zarda is also seeking to dispel the misconception that dementia is an inevitable consequence of ageing.

Dementia is not a normal part of growing older. It is caused by diseases that damage brain cells, affecting memory, thinking, behaviour and a person's ability to perform everyday activities.

For families, receiving a diagnosis can therefore be an important first step towards understanding the condition, accessing support and planning for the future.

Diagnosis can open the way to different treatment and care options, including medication and non-pharmacological interventions. However, access to diagnosis and post-diagnosis support remains limited in many parts of the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Zimbabwe faces additional challenges, with the country yet to adopt a national dementia strategy and specialised services remaining limited in public health institutions.

Cultural beliefs that associate dementia with non-medical causes can also contribute to stigma and delay people from seeking professional help.

The issue has increasingly attracted attention in Parliament, with legislators and senators calling for the development of a comprehensive national dementia strategy to address what has been described as a growing "silent epidemic" among older people.

National dementia strategies are regarded as important tools for coordinating government responses to the condition, including diagnosis, treatment, care, research, awareness and support for caregivers.

According to Alzheimer's Disease International, only 50 of the world's 195 countries have national dementia plans.

Research by the organisation estimated that about 27 377 people in Zimbabwe were living with dementia in 2018, with the figure projected to increase by 198 percent by 2050.

The actual burden could be considerably higher, however, as limited diagnosis and reporting mean available statistics may underestimate the number of people affected.

Although Zimbabwe has a relatively young population, with a median age of about 18 years, the gradual ageing of the population means dementia is becoming an increasingly important public health issue.

Globally, more than 55 million people are living with dementia, with the number projected to rise to 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050.

The majority of future cases are expected to occur in low- and middle-income countries, which are projected to account for about 71 percent of global dementia cases by 2050.

Beyond the statistics, dementia also places a significant burden on families and caregivers.

Globally, unpaid care provided to people living with dementia is estimated to be equivalent to the work of about 67 million full-time workers, with women accounting for around two-thirds of primary caregivers.

In low- and middle-income countries, about 90 percent of dementia care takes place in the home, making family support systems crucial to the well-being of people living with the condition.

Zarda therefore says effective dementia care must extend beyond medication and clinical interventions.

Social support, dementia-friendly environments, social activities, reminiscence therapy, rehabilitation and respite care can help people living with dementia maintain independence and improve their quality of life while also supporting caregivers.

Although receiving a dementia diagnosis can initially be difficult for individuals and families, early knowledge can provide an opportunity to make informed decisions, plan for the future and access appropriate support.

The global campaign is consequently seeking to shift the conversation around dementia away from fear and silence towards knowledge, early intervention and support.

Stigma remains a major obstacle. Research cited by Alzheimer's Disease International indicates that 88 percent of people living with dementia report experiencing discrimination.

At the same time, more than 90 percent of carers and members of the public surveyed said they would be encouraged to seek a diagnosis if a disease-modifying treatment for dementia became available.

For Zimbabwe, the figures reinforce the need to improve public understanding of dementia while strengthening the health system's capacity to diagnose, treat and support those affected.

As World Alzheimer's Month unfolds, Zarda is calling on individuals, organisations and institutions to participate in awareness activities and challenge misconceptions that continue to isolate people living with dementia.

The message of this year's campaign is straightforward: earlier knowledge creates more opportunities to act.

For Zimbabwe, where dementia cases are projected to rise sharply in the coming decades, strengthening early diagnosis and support systems is becoming increasingly urgent.