VOLUME 29, ISSUE 2 • JUNE 2025. Full issue »
April 2025 was an extraordinary month of advocacy, education, and community at the Adewunmi Desalu Parkinson’s Foundation (ADPF). With World Parkinson’s Day on April 11 as a focal point, ADPF had a series of impactful events designed to raise awareness, foster connection, and support individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s disease in Nigeria and beyond.
Key activities
Revolving Programs
The Centre consistently offered no-cost rehabilitative physiotherapy interventions to more than 100 people living with Parkinson’s Disease. Medication support and transport stipends were also provided to support the more vulnerable PD warriors in our community.
Daily Awareness Campaigns
Throughout April 2025, ADPF shared evidence-based educational content across digital platforms, which included facts on movement, nutrition, medication and emotional wellbeing as it related to Parkinson’s disease. These daily posts aimed to increase public awareness and correct misconceptions around Parkinson’s disease in Nigeria.
April Support Group Session – Documentary Viewing
The support group session featured a screening of “The Long Road to Hope: Ending Parkinson’s Disease,” a deeply insightful documentary created by ParkinsonTV. It prompted deep reflections and conversations among members and caregivers.
World Parkinson’s Day Webinar
On April 11, we hosted a special webinar themed “Parkinson’s Disease: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Care Pathways.” It featured three speakers, two expert neurologists, and a nurse who is also living with Parkinson’s disease. It was a highly practical and insightful session featuring guidelines on early detection, management, caregiving, and awareness of Parkinson’s disease management. At the end, more than 100 attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and connect with these professionals.
Media Rounds
On April 11, we also visited two local radio stations and our Head of Programs John Akinola shared expert insights on early signs of Parkinson’s, the realities of caregiving, and the urgent need for community support in Pidgin English and Yoruba. We also published a half-page infographic in a national newspaper containing awareness information on Parkinson’s disease.
These were instrumental in helping us reach broader audiences, especially those still unfamiliar with Parkinson’s disease or its growing prevalence in Nigeria.
The 3rd Annual Parkinson’s Disease Symposium
This May 3 event was a core part of our lineup for Parkinson’s disease awareness month. The Symposium, themed “Shaping the Future of Parkinson’s Care in Nigeria and Africa: Innovations, Challenges, and Collaborations,” brought together medical experts, caregivers, patients, and advocates to discuss advancements and challenges in Parkinson’s awareness and care across the continent.
It featured two insightful panel sessions that focused on advancing Parkinson’s care through medical and rehabilitative innovations and empowering communities for better Parkinson’s care. There were five panelists across the fields of and neurology, physiotherapy, including a grassroots healthcare advocate and a Parkinson’s warrior.
Learn more about the Adewunmi Desalu Parkinson’s Foundation and their ongoing work:
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