Healthcare, Patriarca (FI): “Dementia Fund Allocation Doubled, Now It’s 35 Million”

“We have more than doubled the allocation of the Dementia Fund, which is now around 35 million euros. Last year it was 15 million. The refinancing was a battle won and for this I want to thank the Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci for the attention he has had”. Annarita Patriarca, member of the Social Affairs Commission of the Chamber and co-president of the Intergroup for Neuroscience and Alzheimer’s, told Adnkronos Salute, speaking at the press conference for the tenth anniversary of the foundation of Airalzh – Italian Association for Alzheimer’s Research, which was held at the Ministry of Health.

“Talking about Alzheimer’s at this historic moment means continuing to shine an important light – underlines the Forza Italia MP – Last year we achieved a result that was the completion of a series of activities and actions to keep the spotlight on this disease, so as not to forget what it means for patients and for those who assist them. The Dementia Fund is an important tool given to the Regions. We hope that effective projects will be created to give the best possible answers to those who expect this funding to help them manage a disease that is increasingly complex and that involves not only patients, but also their families”.

And the buildings of politics and institutions will light up in purple – the symbolic color of the disease – on September 21, on the occasion of World Alzheimer’s Day. “Last year we started with this project – recalls Patriarca – that is, asking all the institutional buildings to light up in purple to shine a light on the disease. Purple is the color of Alzheimer’s, it comes from the forget-me-not flower which is the symbol of this pathology. Last year we had the extraordinary participation of all the Italian Regions. And this year the offices of the Chamber of Deputies, the Senate, the Ministry of Health, the Higher Institute of Health, the Regions, the largest Italian Municipalities and Metropolitan Cities will light up in purple. So far we have had many participations, including those of cities such as Milan, Naples, Bari and Palermo. It is an important signal, so as not to forget, to raise public awareness, to make the disease more aware, not only of the political decision-makers”. Patriarca hopes that September 21st “will be an important moment of reflection to recover a culture of prevention with a view to necessary early diagnosis”.