SUBANG JAYA: AvantHealth, in close collaboration with Monash University Malaysia, successfully hosted the MINDSPARK Grand Finale themed “Igniting a Dementia-Inclusive Future” at the university's main hall in Subang Jaya.
The event brought together students, academics, industry players, and non-governmental organisations in a collective effort to raise awareness and promote inclusivity for individuals living with dementia.
The programme marked the culmination of a year-long collaboration that began with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AvantHealth and Monash University Malaysia in April 2025, followed by the official launch of the MINDSPARK competition in June last year, which was attended by Puan Nori Abdullah.
Through this initiative, student teams were given the opportunity to design and implement dementia-related community projects with seed funding of RM6,000 provided by AvantHealth.
Programme organiser Dr. Dinesh Sangarran Ramachandram said that participants demonstrated a significant increase in dementia-related knowledge, based on pre- and post-programme assessments. The programme's success was further reflected in the growing involvement of universities, NGOs, and community organisations in expanding dementia awareness efforts.
“The organisers aim to expand this programme nationwide, including Sabah and Sarawak. The goal is to build an inclusive and sustainable dementia awareness ecosystem involving various stakeholders to improve the well-being of Malaysians.
“Through close collaboration between academic institutions, industry, NGOs, and youth, this initiative demonstrates that meaningful social change can be achieved when all parties work together towards a common goal,” he said during a press conference here today.
Meanwhile, AvantHealth Chief Scientific Officer, Emeritus Professor Yuen Kah Hay, noted that dementia cases in Malaysia continue to increase annually, with the youngest recorded patient being just 16 years old.
“Programmes like this are highly beneficial, not only in raising public awareness but also in providing valuable knowledge on the importance of lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of dementia, while also helping people better manage and care for those living with the condition,” he said.
The highlight of the event was the presentation by the three finalist teams, who shared the impact and outcomes of their projects after six months of implementation.
These projects focused on raising dementia awareness, strengthening social inclusion, supporting caregivers, and encouraging community engagement.
Each team showcased creativity, compassion, and a strong commitment to building a more dementia-inclusive society through sustainable, youth-led solutions.
Following the final evaluation session, the top-performing team was crowned the MINDSPARK Champion and awarded RM10,000 in development funding to expand and sustain their initiative within the community.
The winning team, Synap5e of Memory, led by Lee Kah Yee, expressed excitement over their achievement.
“The idea for a Memory Café was not originally our own. We were first introduced to the concept during a dementia-related programme at the University of Malaya. During the event, we had the opportunity to hear insights from Dr. Cecilia Chan, an educator and advocate in dementia care.
“Dr. Cecilia Chan introduced the Memory Café concept as a space where people living with dementia, their caregivers, and the general public can interact in a relaxed and supportive environment. The concept inspired us to explore the possibility of implementing a similar approach within our local community,” she said.
She added that one of the ideas proposed was to transform a regular café into a Memory Café, where customers could not only enjoy food and beverages but also engage with individuals living with dementia. Through such interactions, members of the public would gain a deeper understanding of the condition and foster positive social connections.
The programme organisers, Dr. Fung Wai Yee, Dr. Wang Leong Seng, and Dr. Dinesh Sangarran Ramachandram, who are also recipients of the Merdeka Award, expressed their appreciation to all judges, mentors, partners, healthcare advocates, educational institutions, and supporters who contributed to the success of the programme.
They also emphasised that the initiative strengthens ongoing efforts aligned with Malaysia’s National Dementia Action Plan.
Through initiatives such as MINDSPARK, which falls under the broader AvantMind Matters movement, AvantHealth remains committed to promoting brain health awareness, empowering communities, and encouraging more proactive discussions on dementia prevention and inclusion within society.
Among the distinguished guests in attendance were Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) Patron Wendy Ong, Tan Sri Hasmah Abdullah, AvantHealth Chief Operating Officer Eric Kiu, as well as representatives from partner community organisations.
