A public health promotion and awareness organisation, the Ebonyi Dementia Support Group (EDSG) has called for knowledge-driven promotion of care for people living with dementia in Ebonyi State
Speaking at an awareness programme organised for Medical Students of the Ebonyi State University (EBSU) at the SMLC Centre, Abakaliki, on July 31, 2026, Mrs. Ogeri Rosemary Idika, the EDSG Project Coordinator stated that it has become imperative to create awareness on the preventive measures, care and management of persons living with dementia as a critical public health issue. The programme with the theme, “Dementia Awareness and Healthy Ageing: Promoting Brain Health Through Education, Nutrition and Early Action.”Brain Health in Africa: Advancing Dementia Awareness Prevention and Collaborative Action” which was organised in partnership with Sub-Saharan Africa Brain Health Initiative (SSABHI) attracted experts and participants in nutrition research and healthcare services.
Dr. Laz Ude Eze, Co-Founder of SSABHI who was the keynote speaker, in his paper titled,”Brain Health in Africa: Advancing Dementia Awareness Prevention and Collaborative Action,” called for collaborative community action to tackle management of dementia, not just in Ebonyi State alone, but all over Nigeria.
Other speakers at the packed event include, Prof Okwudili Obayi who spoke on the topic, “Dementia Awareness and Prevention: Protecting Brain Health Across the lifespan, ” Prof. Helen Sunday Joshua of the Department of Footd Science and Technology, EBSU spoke on ” Nutrition in Dementia: The role of Diet in Brain Health, Prevention, and Care,” while Dr Ugo Uduma of EBSU delivered a paper titled, “Aging Gracefully: Promoting Ageing Through Lifestyle and Preventive Healthcare.”
The highpoint of the event was the launching of the Dementia Literacy Questionnaire for Medical Students (DLQ-MS).
The EDSG announced that , “the DLQ-MS was introduced as a research instrument designed to assess dementia literacy, attitudes, myths and misconceptions, nutrition, brain health, healthy ageing, and future practice intentions among medical students. The questionnaire has commenced expert review and will continue through further validation before wider implementation.”
According to a communique issued at the end of the programme, the group pledged to “continue to promote dementia awareness and brain health education within Ebonyi State and beyond.”
The group also resolved to “strengthen collaboration with healthcare professionals, academic institutions, and community organizations to improve dementia education and support.”
Expressing appreciation to the collaborators and participants, the EBDSG Project Coordinator, Mrs. Ogeri Idika assured the participants that “Together, we remain committed to promoting dementia literacy, supporting healthy ageing, advancing brain health, and improving the quality of life of people living with dementia and their caregivers.”
Mrs. Idika particularly commended Clinical students of EBSU who spared their time expand their knowledge on dementia noting that the “future of dementia care and management depended mostly on them.”