Parkinson's is on the rise in Andalusia with demands for improved care

The Andalusian Parkinson's Federation (Fandep) took advantage of the commemoration of World Parkinson's Day, which was celebrated yesterday, April 11, to issue a call to attention about the steady increase of this disease and the shortcomings of the healthcare system to address it.

Last Wednesday, the organization released a manifesto during an official event at the Government Delegation of the Junta de Andalucía in Seville, where they demanded more resources, better socio-health coordination, and a firm commitment to the affected individuals and their families.

According to the federation, the increase in life expectancy, along with advances in diagnostics, is causing a significant increase in the prevalence of Parkinson's. However, they emphasize that it is not just a disease associated with aging: an increasing number of young people with Parkinson's are being diagnosed, which adds new dimensions to the problem, with specific social, occupational, and healthcare implications.

In this context, Fandep insists that Parkinson's cannot be addressed solely from a clinical perspective. “It is a complex reality that requires a multidisciplinary, coordinated, and sustained response over time,” states the manifesto, which emphasizes not only medical care but also rehabilitation, psychological support, social accompaniment, and support for families.

One of the fundamental pillars in this approach, according to the federation, is the associative movement, which is currently providing essential services of comprehensive rehabilitation and support to Parkinson's patients. However, they denounce that these entities operate with insufficient and unstable funding, which jeopardizes the continuity of key programs for the quality of life of people with Parkinson's.

The manifesto also highlights the main shortcomings of the healthcare and social system. Among them, it points out the lack of personnel in neurology, the territorial inequalities in access to care, the shortage of nursing specialized in Parkinson's, and the insufficient resources of the movement disorder units.

Added to this is the absence of specific resources for people with early-onset Parkinson's, a group with distinct needs that are still not adequately met. Furthermore, another focus of the manifesto is the recognition of the role of caregivers, whose work they describe as “fundamental”.

“The care for Parkinson's must place individuals and their families at the center,” concludes Carmen Giráldez, president of Fandep. With this message, the federation seeks not only to raise awareness of Parkinson's on its world day but also to promote a sustained commitment that can address a growing public health issue.