Mild cognitive impairment. Image source: 808NoVape
Emeritus Professor and consultant neurologist Prof. Arthur Onwuchekwa, a retiring faculty member of the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, emphasized that early childhood education is key to preventing dementia later in life. He made these remarks while delivering a valedictory lecture titled “Working towards a healthy brain” in Port Harcourt. Prof. Onwuchekwa, who also serves as a consultant physician‑neurologist at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, described the brain as the most important organ, essential to every human activity. “Once you have a healthy brain, you have a healthy body,” he said, adding that the brain is the only organ that cannot be transplanted.
The professor warned that the prevalence of dementia appears to be rising, likening it to an emerging epidemic, with age being a major risk factor. He identified hypertension, diabetes, and consumption of junk food as contributing causes, and noted that social isolation can lead to dementia due to a lack of mental stimulation. Stressing the importance of education and child health, Prof. Onwuchekwa stated, “Early childhood education is very important in reducing the prevalence of dementia. In fact, those who attend school between the ages of five and sixteen may delay or even avoid developing dementia.”
Regarding prevention, he called on the government to improve infrastructure—building roads, providing electricity, and establishing farms—so that people can remain in their localities and care for their elderly relatives. He also highlighted the benefits of regular exercise, which releases chemicals that activate the brain. Citing UNESCO data, he pointed out that Nigeria has about 20 million out‑of‑school children, accounting for one in every five out‑of‑school children worldwide. He warned that this lack of schooling could lead to a future increase in dementia cases, as no state is exempt from the consequences of reduced mental stimulation.
Prof. Onwuchekwa advised adequate sleep, a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and grains, and avoidance of processed foods, all of which protect the brain. He noted that many brain disorders he encounters are preventable, with stroke being the second leading cause of death globally after heart disease, sharing risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol. He concluded that lifestyle changes—including regular exercise, natural food intake, and periodic blood‑pressure monitoring—are essential to preventing these conditions.
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