You are a member of the Sub-Saharan Section, and may apply for MDS Sub-Saharan programs if you are based in the following countries:
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad
Côte d'Ivoire
Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa)
Djibouti
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville)
Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa)
Rwanda
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa Sudan
Swaziland
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Richard Walker,
Chair
Dear Colleagues,
Data on Parkinson's disease (PD) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is limited but it appears that the age-adjusted prevalence may be a little lower than other parts of the world. The likely explanation for this is a lack of diagnosis, and therefore treatment, leading to early fatality. There are few doctors per head of population in SSA, and this is especially true for specialists such as neurologists. Many people, even healthcare professionals, are unaware of PD and considerable stigma is experienced by patients. Even if patients are diagnosed there is a limited choice of medication and affordable, sustainable drug treatment is not possible for most. However, against this background, it is possible for patients to be diagnosed and treated, both with therapy and drugs.
After a special symposium at the 13th International Congress of PD and Movement Disorders (MD) in June 2009 in Paris the SSA Interest Group was ratified by the MDS. There have been subsequent meetings of the group at the 14th and 15th International Congresses in 2010 and 2011, respectively, with a plan to meet at all future International Congresses. Committee meetings are also conducted by phone conferences. MDS has provided support for meetings in Mali (2009) and South Africa (2010) and has supported the attendance of 3 young neurologists from SSA at the Movement Disorders Summer School in Naples, Italy in July 2011. Negotiations are ongoing with generic drug manufacturers for the supply of more affordable drug treatment in SSA.
Many people in the world with PD are never diagnosed or treated and this is particularly true for the vast majority in SSA. However, diagnosis, along with affordable and sustainable treatment of PD in SSA should be possible and is the main aim of the interest group. For this to be achieved we need to address training, raising awareness, and advocacy for drug treatment.
We look forward to furthering the mission of MDS through this special interest group.
Warm regards,
Richard Walker, MD
Chair, Task Force on Africa
For more information, please contact the Task Force on Africa staff liaison: Stephanie Moffett at smoffett@movementdisorders.org