‘Why Alzheimer’s Disease Is Discovered Late By Many’
Board Secretary, Gabi-Williams Alzheimer’s Foundation (GWAF), Prof. Olajide Gabi-Williams, has said that Alzheimer’s disease is usually discovered very late because many often mistake its symptoms for the normal aging process.
Speaking at the 5th memorial service of his father, Dr. Gabisiu Ayodele Williams, who died of Alzheimer’s disease, at Anglican Church For All Nations, Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, Gabi-Williams said that people often say,
“Baba is getting old; Mama is getting old rather than baba or mama may have early dementia symptoms, the most common Alzheimer’s disease.”
He added: “So, people ignore the symptoms or make excuses for them until the condition is so severe they can no longer ignore it or hide it. I say ‘hide it’ because sometimes the fear of stigma leads families to hide away their loved ones suffering from the disease.
“Sadly, it is during the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease that treatment works best at mitigating the disease. By the time the disease becomes advanced, available treatments are not as effective. However, effective does not mean cure. There is still no cure.”
“But we finally have good news. Very recently, a drug, Lecanemab, that can significantly slow down the negative impact of Alzheimer’s disease on the body was approved for clinical use.”
He, however, noted that there is a lot of pre-treatment evaluation that needs to take place to determine eligibility for the drug.
“So, even if you can afford the high cost of the drug, you still need to afford all the high costs of the tests. The drug itself costs around USD27,000. Given current exchange rates, how many families in Nigeria can afford this?” he asked.
A grandson of the late Williams, Damilare Williams spoke glowingly about his grandfather.
“I was a very young boy when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. But every year, I learn more about him and his legacies. I feel honoured that he was part of my family. Alzheimer’s disease is a common ailment everywhere in the world. I think it is a terrible thing that it goes after somebody’s greatest asset – his memory. I thank God that there is a drug now that will alleviate the effects of the disease. It is great that my family is working with government to help to raise awareness about the disease,” he said.
