Once again AMD Alliance International as part of its yearly celebration will be working in partnership with its global membership to host AMD Awareness Week during the month of September. The launch this year took place in Singapore at the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital where the Minister of Health – Mr Gan Kim Yong was the Guest Speaker.
The multitude of activities listed for the Singapore event include eye screenings for age-related eye diseases at various locations across the country & health talks on AMD in various languages at all participating hospitals, colleges, public libraries and community centres.
This annual mobilization of AMD Alliance International members and others is geared to create awareness of macular disease through media campaigns, advocacy initiatives, community outreach, the hosting of patient meetings, discussions with pharmacists, dieticians, geriatricians and psychologists/psychiatrists on issues relevant to AMD. In fact, the strategy during this world wide approach is harnessing the power of today’s vast electronic networking capabilities combined with personalized initiatives to reach people across all boundaries.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of AMD Alliance International, Narinder Sharma, "The message this year as in previous years is that those at-risk and AMD patients can take steps to reduce needless sight loss. AMD can be prevented or slowed down if a person takes action to keep his or her vision healthy. Along with regular eye exams, the first step is a healthy lifestyle: take exercise, eat healthily, use sunglasses in bright sunlight, and don't smoke. Specially formulated vitamins for those affected by the disease may help, and effective clinically-approved treatments are available for the most severe form of AMD."
AMD Alliance International is therefore once again issuing a call for more information, support and treatments for patients, their families and carers. Check with your local patient organisation to find out what is happening in your area and make use of the information and help available.
