Lula sanctions the law establishing the National Dementia Plan

From now on the inter-ministerial commission will have to develop statutes with guidelines for global assistance and attention for people suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementias

President Lula approved bill 4.364/2020 on Tuesday 4th, which establishes a national policy aimed at treating people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Proposed by Senator Paulo Paim (PT), the PL had been underway since 2020.

In a statement, the Brazilian Alzheimer’s Association (ABRAz) celebrated the provision, but underlined that there is still much to be done for the law to be effectively applied, “including the creation of an inter-ministerial commission to develop the guidelines of the National plan in madness”.

This commission should include experts in the fields of health, social care, human rights, innovation and technology, as well as leaders from civil society.

Together, they must develop a statute with guidelines that meet the guidelines of international bodies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), as well as the demands of the Brazilian population. The document must guarantee comprehensive care and attention to people with dementia, as well as their family members and carers, both formal and informal.

Consult the guidelines of the National Dementia Plan below:

• Construction and monitoring in a participatory and plural manner;
• Support and training for primary healthcare;
• Use of evidence-based medicine;
• Permanent vision of integrality and interdisciplinarity;
• Coordination of existing services and programs;
• Following the guidelines of international bodies, such as those of the World Health Organization’s Global Public Health Action Plan on Dementia Response;
• Delineation of objectives and deadlines, as well as a dissemination and evaluation system;
• Prevention of new cases of dementia;
• Use of technology at all levels of action;
• Decentralization.

Alzheimer’s and other dementias in Brazil

For ABRAz, the PL is a response to the challenges that the aging of the Brazilian population brings to the country. According to a 2023 report prepared by Fapesp researchers, at least 1.76 million people over the age of 60 are living with some form of dementia in Brazil. According to the paper, most of them do not know they have this condition.

The number is expected to continue increasing, reaching 152.8 million cases of dementia in the country in 2050. The projection made by a study published in The Lancet Public Health predicts a 208% increase in the incidence of cognitive decline in Brazil.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.