Parkinson’s Africa Marks Five Years of Impact
On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, we marked a powerful milestone: five years of building a growing, connected movement across the continent. At our inaugural Virtual Town Hall, we brought together people living with Parkinson’s, care partners, healthcare professionals, and partners from across Africa and beyond.
Central to the event was the launch of our 5-Year Impact Report, highlighting a journey shaped by resilience, collaboration, and a shared vision: many voices, one community. Our Founder, Mrs Omotola Thomas, emphasised that the next phase requires bold thinking and sustained effort, from strengthening care systems to expanding partnerships and building local capacity.
Experts from Transforming Parkinson’s Care in Africa (TraPCAF), including Professor Richard Walker and Dr Natasha Fothergill-Misbah, underscored the urgency of improving early detection, diagnosis, and access to care. As CEI lead for TraPCAF across seven African countries, we continue to ensure that people affected by Parkinson’s actively shape the future of care, research, and advocacy.
Partnership emerged as a key theme, highlighted by Laeeqa Sujee (Phila Sonke) and John Akinola (ADPF), who stressed collaboration in raising awareness and advancing research that reflects Africa’s unique realities. Community-driven initiatives, like walking football programs, demonstrate how locally rooted solutions can transform lives.
At the event, we also witnessed how impactful the stories shared by individuals living with Parkinson’s were, which reminded everyone why this work matters and grounded the movement in lived experience.
As we launched our 5-Year Impact Report, the call to action is clear: empower underserved communities, deepen partnerships, and scale community-led solutions. Parkinson’s in Africa is a collective responsibility, and as prevalence rises, the path forward depends on sustained commitment, shared responsibility, and a united community.
Missed the live session or want to revisit the conversations? Watch here.
Posted by: on the 04/05/26.
This post has been tagged with: #Events