It is my great pleasure and honour to be with you today on the occasion of the inauguration of the Multisensory Room at the Day Centre of the Charitable Association for the Support of People with Dementia, "ITHAKI.
The Multisensory Room is a therapeutic space that provides an environment specifically designed to improve the wellbeing, health and quality of life of people experiencing dementia. This is a commendable initiative that once again highlights the important contribution of the "ITHAKI" Association to society as a whole and especially to our fellow citizens suffering from dementia.
This therapeutic space is an important and unique addition in the field of prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases in Cyprus.
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia and Alzheimer's, are among the most common in Cyprus and worldwide and affect a large part of the population. The Republic of Cyprus is committed to providing the best possible care to all those suffering from these diseases and to support their families.
The multi-sensory room we are launching today offers a multi-faceted experience for patients, using technologies such as virtual reality and music therapy to improve their quality of life and maintain their cognitive functions.
In this effort to upgrade the structures and services provided to our fellow human beings with dementia, the "ITHAKI" Association joined forces with the Rotary Club of Nicosia Lefkothea to create and operate this model and unique therapeutic space that offers multiple opportunities for the participation of people with dementia in activities with a variety of sensory stimuli. At the same time, the caregivers and family members of people with dementia are given the opportunity to find some time to regain their strength.
The Rotary Club of Nicosia Lefkothea collaborated with OPAP Cyprus to cover the cost of the expenses for the configuration and equipment of the Multisensory Room and I would like to address my warmest thanks to them for their kind assistance.
I am confident that the new treatment room will be a real opportunity to improve the quality of life for people struggling with dementia. The multi-sensory room will provide patients with the opportunity to participate in activities and games that will improve their mobility, cognitive functions and maintain social contact. In addition, the adoption of this technology by the Day Centre is a step towards better use of digital tools to provide comprehensive health services to our citizens.
I would like to congratulate everyone who worked hard to create this room, especially the scientific and other staff, and the technicians who helped set it up . The Ministry of Health will continue to support and recognize the catalytic and complementary actions to its work, especially those that come through voluntary organizations and organizations that support humanitarian projects related to the health of our fellow human beings and their better quality of life .
Both the Ministry of Health and the State in general, express their heartfelt thanks to the Charitable Association for the Support of People with Dementia, "ITHAKI", the Rotary Club of Nicosia Lefkothea and OPAP Cyprus for the implementation of this excellent initiative. I am confident that this new therapeutic space will be a remarkable addition to the health infrastructure and that it will become the starting point for the creation of other similar infrastructures. Taking the opportunity of my presence at today's event, I would like to announce that there will be a significant increase in the annual sponsorship of the Ministry of Health to the "Ithaca" Association.
Finally, thanking all of you who are here today, I would like to close with the following timeless saying: "When things get dark, volunteers can spread light and colour."
(DK)
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