Symposium Advocates for Parkinson’s Care Access in Nigeria

The 4th Annual Parkinson’s Disease Symposium, hosted by Adewunmi Desalu of the Parkinson's Foundation, highlighted the critical need for grassroots care access for individuals living with Parkinson's disease in Nigeria. The symposium addressed the challenges of late diagnosis and the necessity for long-term support, emphasizing that Parkinson's disease is often misunderstood and misattributed to aging.

Barrister Emor Ufoma shared personal experiences of living with the condition for a decade, stressing the importance of medical treatment and robust community support. Dr.

Ibrahim Akinwunmi, of the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, and Olugbenga Fadip identified financial barriers and lack of awareness as significant hurdles to seeking hospital care. They suggested that Nigeria's mandatory health insurance policy should be improved to alleviate these burdens.

Ota Akhigb from eHealth Africa argued for a proactive care model that includes early recognition and training for primary healthcare staff. The symposium concluded with a consensus on the need for early detection and a healthcare model that meets the needs of Parkinson's patients.