KMC Hospital launches Alzheimer's Clinic

Adding another feather to its cap, the KMC Hospital, Mangaluru, has launched a unique and first-if-its-kind Alzheimers Clinic in Mangaluru.


Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a group of disorders that impairs mental functioning. There is one new case of dementia worldwide every three seconds.

The currently available treatments help slow down the progression of the disease in some cases for periods between six and 18 months and the main class of such compounds is the Cholinesterase inhibitors.

The Alziehmers Clinic at KMC consists of various investigations and comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) by a panel of consultants that includes a geriatric specialist, a psychiatrist and a psycho-social consultant.

“As of 2015, there were over 46 million people worldwide with dementia, 58% of them live in low and middle-income countries and this figure is set to increase to more than 131 million people by 2050. Although, there are no specific preventive measures to recommend, what can be recommended is a healthy lifestyle, eating a healthy diet and staying physically, mentally and socially active. There is an increasing research evidence to suggest that having a healthy lifestyle helps to reduce an individual's risk”, Dr Keshava Pai, head, Department of Psychiatry, KMC Hospital, Mangaluru, said.

“Early detection and prevention of dementia in elderly are primarily dependent on improving cardiovascular health, management of diabetes and other comorbidities, physical fitness and provision of psychological and social support mechanisms. Thus Alzheimer’s Clinic at KMC Hospital, Mangalore incorporates all the above principles in a cost-effective manner, bringing the patient back to a place in providing a holistic care” Saghir Siddiqui, Unit Head, KMC Hospital Mangaluru, said.

The Department of Psychiatry at KMC Hospital, Attavar, will also organise a guest lecture on 'Caregiving in Dementia' by Dr P V Bhandary, Medical Director and Psychiatrist, Department of Psychiatry and Dr A V Baliga Memorial Hospital, Udupi on September 22 at 10 am.