The government delegate to the Valencian Community, Pilar Bernabé, has claimed research as “a fundamental element to fight Alzheimer’s and other mental illnesses”. The Government of Spain “is aware of the importance of research and lines of study and analysis”. According to Bernabé, during 2023, the Ministry of Health allocated almost 1.5 million euros to early detection, improvement of comprehensive care, support for caregivers and the continuous training of health professionals. In addition, the General State Budgets provide 2.8 million euros for the Strategy against rare and neurodegenerative diseases to be transferred directly to the autonomous communities and 7.83% more health investment. The PERTE de Salud de Vanguardia has also been developed, endowed with 1,469 million euros.
He also highlighted the work of research centers such as the Institute of Neurosciences of Alicante that has been consolidated with the support of the Government of Spain "as a reference in brain research through projects with enormous therapeutic potential" for Alzheimer and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Bernabé has presided over the institutional event of World Alzheimer’s Day held in the Government Delegation and which is commemorated tomorrow, in collaboration with the Musicians for Health Foundation. In this event, in addition to the musical opening by Juanjo Pérez, the president of the Association of Relatives of Alzheimer’s Patients of Valencia (AFAV), Ana María Ruiz, participated in the conversation Realities of Alzheimer’s, the president of Musicians for Health, Guillermo Giner, and the singer and music, Gabriela Castillo. All of them have highlighted the importance of music to help the sick and their families, and to raise society’s awareness of the support they require.
The Government Delegation – said Bernabé – “will always have its doors open to all social groups that work to improve people’s lives”. In this line, he thanked “the great work” done by AFAV and Musicians for Health and by all its workers to help families and patients and “to make visible a disease that has more and more early diagnoses”.