Fatima Jinnah Medical University wins Alzheimer’s Pakistan the Grand Quiz

Lahore: There is enough evidence available now indicating healthy lifestyle which includes regular exercise, healthy food and productive mental activity reduces the incidence of Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

To create awareness among the Medical Student, Alzheimer’s Pakistan organized a GRAND QUIZ “HEALTHY LIFESTYLE REDUCES THE RISK OF DEMENTIA”  during the month of September, which is celebrated as World Alzheimer’s Month throughout the world. The purpose of this event was to create awareness among the medical students and young doctors that healthy lifestyle could reduce the risk of developing Dementia.

Twelve medical colleges from all over Pakistan participated in the Grand Quiz, which included Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore , Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi, Central Park Medical Colleges, Lahore, Foundation University Medical College, Islamabad, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Sharif Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Rehman Medical College, Peshawar, Rashid Latif Medical College, Lahore, Lahore Medical & Dental College, Lahore and Shalamar Medical & Dental College, Lahore

In the first phase of the quiz, an awareness campaign was run in each of the participating Medical Colleges and medical students were registered for the Quiz. A preliminary Quiz was held in all the respective medical colleges between 14-17 Sept 2015. Top five students from each institution were selected on the basis of the preliminary quiz. These five students comprised the each medical college team and participated today in the Grand Quiz Finale.

Famous artist, Mr Adeel Hashmi was the Quiz Master at the Finale of the Grand Quiz. The Finale showed a close competition between the medical colleges with

Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore winning the quiz and Army Medical College, Rawalpindi taking the Runner up position.

At the closing ceremony of the Quiz, Dr. Hussain Jafri, Secretary General, Alzheimer’s Pakistan presented on the impact of Alzheimer’s Disease in Pakistan and what services are provided by Alzheimer’s Pakistan in this regard. He highlighted the urgent need for the government to implement policies and legislation to provide a better quality of life for people with Dementia, both now and in the future.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Yasmin Raashid, Patron Alzheimer’s Pakistan said there are around one million PWD in Pakistan but this figure will rise sharply in the future. She called on all stakeholders to develop programmes to raise awareness and improve access to early diagnosis and care. Mr. Zia Rizvi, President Alzheimer’s Pakistan added: “The Quiz has helped in creating awareness amongst the future generation of doctors about this growing problem and also highlight the importance of supporting the people with Dementia and their carers, and also encourage healthy lifestyle changes which may reduce the risk of dementia”.