Saturday, June 7, 2025
  • Contact Us
  • About BBS
  • Privacy & Policy
ENG
DZO
BBSCL Logo
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Education
  • More
    • Announcement
    • Audience Survey Report
    • Programme
    • Radio Dzo-Channel Schedule
    • Radio Mix-Channel Schedule
Radio Live
No Result
View All Result
BBSCL logo
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Education
  • More
    • Announcement
    • Audience Survey Report
    • Programme
    • Radio Dzo-Channel Schedule
    • Radio Mix-Channel Schedule
No Result
View All Result
BBSCL logo
Radio LIVE

Dementia cases in the country on the rise

August 5, 2019
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
0
SHARES
13
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

With the increase in the ageing population in the country, the number of dementia cases is on the rise. 2018 saw the highest number of dementia patients with 33 cases as per the 2019 Annual Health Bulletin. The figure increased by 15 from 2017.

Dementia is a condition where there is deterioration of the memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday activities. Although dementia mainly affects older people, it is not a normal part of ageing.

The annual health bulletin mentions that the decline in death and fertility rates has resulted in population ageing and rising dependency. The ageing population is expected to grow rapidly over the years thereby putting pressure on the existing health system. Bhutan recorded dementia cases for the first time in 2016 with 21 cases as per the bulletin.

“A lot of people are living beyond 71. So it is not very surprising dementia cases are increasing in Bhutan. We should expect this all over the world. We are not a different species of human beings so if you live longer you have more chances of having dementia. But that’s not to say that all people who become old would become demented but the risk or the incidence rises as you cross certain group especially after 60,” Dr Chencho Dorji, the Psychiatrist of the National Referral Hospital, said.

As per World Health Organisation(WHO), around 50 million people have dementia worldwide. It is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people. Early stages of dementia are often overlooked as it gradually develops. Some of the symptoms include forgetfulness, losing track of time and becoming lost in a familiar place. The late stage of dementia is severe and includes symptoms like becoming unaware of time and place, having difficulty recognising relatives and friends, need for increased assisted self-care, difficulty in walking and experiencing behaviour changes that may escalate and include aggression.

“Dementia affects the brain. The brain cell starts dying as we become older obviously. But also some pathological changes happen in the brain as you become older and that leads to memory loss. Basically, your brain starts losing its capacity to function” Dr Chencho Dorji said.

According to new guidelines issued by WHO in May this year, people can, however, reduce the risk of dementia by getting regular exercise, not smoking, avoiding alcohol, controlling weight, eating a healthy diet and maintaining healthy blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

As per a study conducted by the National Statistics Bureau in 2017, elderly people have low access to healthcare services due to their immobility and face problem accessing services in hospitals due to overcrowding. The study suggests that it is crucial to have geriatricians, who can better understand and treat old age diseases for the promotion of healthy ageing.

Previous Post

Economic diversification must be prioritised says PM

Next Post

Body of mother, a flash flood victim found

Next Post
A body of the flash flood victim recovered, Lhuentse

Body of mother, a flash flood victim found

Single-storey house lost to fire in Pema Gatshel

Single-storey house lost to fire in Pema Gatshel

Students of Alaykha Pry.School benefit from feeding programme

Students of Alaykha Pry.School benefit from feeding programme

Please login to join discussion

RECOMMENDED NEWS

NTMH to start alternative and aftercare support services for people with mental health issues and substance use disorders

Royal Tour to the East

5 years ago
3

Indian government to provide more training slots

12 years ago
2
Women can do well in any post, the first female dzongda says

Women can do well in any post, the first female dzongda says

9 years ago
31

Contractors of Trongsa remain hopeful of MHP

13 years ago
2

BROWSE BY CATEGORIES

  • Accidents (14)
  • Agriculture (426)
  • Announcement (174)
  • Audience Survey Report (1)
  • Business (744)
  • Crime/Legal (367)
  • Culture (47)
  • Development (51)
  • Disaster (57)
  • Economy (277)
  • Education (412)
  • Entertainment (13)
  • Environment (60)
  • Feature (65)
  • Featured (6)
  • Festival (78)
  • GMC (14)
  • Headlines (6)
  • Health (622)
  • Legal (52)
  • Literature (9)
  • Livestock (75)
  • Media (25)
  • Other Stories (5,574)
  • Politics (419)
  • RCSC (1)
  • Recent stories (5)
  • Religion (45)
  • Sci/Tech (709)
  • Social (515)
  • Sports (449)
  • Technology (190)
  • Tourism (19)
  • Uncategorized (13,866)
  • Video (136)
  • Video Story (249)
  • Wildlife (42)

BROWSE BY TOPICS

Tender Announcement Vacancy Announcement

POPULAR NEWS

  • BPC’s investigation rules out transformer short circuit as Damchhu forest fire cause

    Viral video of Bhutanese man assaulted by locals and police in Jaigaon sparks safety concerns

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Gelephu Mindfulness City opens recruitment drive for Bhutanese professionals

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Newspaper accuses DPT candidate of political ploy

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • A centenarian’s recipe to longevity

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 40 companies risk closure over failure to submit financial reports

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
BBSCL

Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) is Bhutan’s primary national broadcaster, delivering diverse news and entertainment in multiple languages, fostering cultural understanding and public knowledge.

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

  • RMA to roll out seven new measures for loan repayment support
  • National Housing Strategy to be ready by September
  • Bhutan begins NFT sales, to preserve heritage
  • City bus viability raised in parliament, MoIT minister cites past privatisation failures
  • Paro MP questions airport expansion impact on affected landowners

News Category

  • Accidents
  • Agriculture
  • Announcement
  • Audience Survey Report
  • Business
  • Crime/Legal
  • Culture
  • Development
  • Disaster
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Environment
  • Feature
  • Featured
  • Festival
  • GMC
  • Headlines
  • Health
  • Legal
  • Literature
  • Livestock
  • Media
  • Other Stories
  • Politics
  • RCSC
  • Recent stories
  • Religion
  • Sci/Tech
  • Social
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Uncategorized
  • Video
  • Video Story
  • Wildlife
  • Contact Us
  • About BBS
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2024 BBSCL. All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Education
  • More
    • Announcement
    • Audience Survey Report
    • Programme
    • Radio Dzo-Channel Schedule
    • Radio Mix-Channel Schedule

© 2024 BBSCL. All rights reserved.