BY Lyna Mohamad

A three-kilometre ‘Memory Walk’ around the capital was held in conjunction with World Dementia Month on Sunday.

The walk, co-organised by Demensia Brunei, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), began at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien and went around the capital’s iconic landmarks.

Officials and the public walked past the Royal Regalia Museum, Bandar Seri Begawan Fire and Rescue Station, Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas and Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque, led by Permanent Secretary (Community) at the MCYS Hajah Nor Ashikin binti Haji Johari.

Permanent Secretary (Youth) at the MCYS Haji Zakaria bin Haji Serudin and Deputy Permanent Secretary (Culture) at the MCYS Dr Siti Norkhalbi binti Haji Wahsalfelah were also present at on Sunday’s event.

Prior to the event, a warm-up session was led by Victorious Health and Fitness Centre.

An exhibition was also held in conjunction with World Dementia Month, featuring showcases by Demensia Brunei, Health Promotion Centre, Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre, La Vida, Aewon, Cope for Hope and BERSATU.

The public were also invited to visit the participating booths, do a brief health screening for dementia and several health related activities, such as learning how to perform CPR.

Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death worldwide according to findings from the Lancet’s 2019 Global Burden of Disease study.

Brunei Darussalam has 1,574 cases of dementia, with the figure expected to rise by 365 per cent to 7,317 by 2050, as shared by Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar recently in his message in conjunction with World Alzheimer’s Month.

Dementia is a disease of deterioration of brain function that causes loss of intellectual functions such as thinking, memory, ability to make decisions and plan, affecting daily activities.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported new cases of dementia identified among the elderly occuring every three seconds globally and impacts an estimated 55 million people worldwide.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin