The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovations at Unicaf University in Zambia, Dr Attridge Mwelwa, was honoured to participate in the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias in Zambia (ADDIZ) stakeholder meeting on dementia care on April 4, 2026.
A community based organisation, ADDIZ is dedicated to supporting over 26,000 people currently living with dementia in Zambia. This meeting formed part of the Local Empowerment and Development – Civil Society (LEADS) initiative funded by the European Union and locally supported by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR). It brought together key figures from academia, healthcare, civil society and policy-making institutions to strengthen dementia care systems through greater collaboration between stakeholders, improved coordination amongst civil society organisations (CSOs) and the promotion of collective action in addressing dementia related challenges.
Many vital aspects regarding dementia care were discussed at the meeting. Focal points included overall challenges in dementia care, existing and potential future gaps in intervention, the importance of working with CSOs to deliver on programmes concerning health advocacy and community outreach, greater efficiency and efficacy in coordinating with project partners as well as collaboration with other relevant stakeholders in conducting research related to dementia care, mental health and ageing populations.
Higher education institutions like ours are uniquely positioned to help achieve these objectives. Collaboration with civil society organisations (CSOs) on community outreach and capacity-building programmes represents a key area where Unicaf University can make significant contributions. For example, through generous scholarships, our students are enabled to pursue their academic ambitions and apply their skills and competencies effectively within their chosen fields by alleviating some of the strain typically associated with further education.
The training of healthcare workers and specialised caregivers represents another area in which higher education institutions such as Unicaf University can help meet current and future demand through its available academic programmes.
Academic institutions can also make a substantial impact through the conclusions reached from specific research projects. Research focused on analysing current healthcare systems and providing tangible solutions to existing challenges can inform policy and intervention strategies implemented by the appropriate entities.
Unicaf University remains committed to identifying new research areas, introducing greater collaborative efforts with new and existing partners and contributing targeted research findings to ongoing or emerging initiatives aimed at improving healthcare systems and overall community health.
