Dementia poses rising public health challenge, say experts

Dementia affects not only those diagnosed but also the emotional and financial stability of their families, said Dr. Radha S. Murthy, Chairperson of the organising committee of the Dementia Conference (DemCon’25). Speaking at the inaugural session at GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (GIMSER) on Friday, she stressed the need for stronger public awareness and community involvement. She also recognised the support of the Dementia India Alliance (DIA).

Experts at the conference described dementia as a growing public health concern. They noted that more than 88 lakh older adults in India are affected, and nearly 90 percent remain undiagnosed.

The meeting was organised by DIA in partnership with GIMSER, Senha Sandhya Age Care Foundation, NIMHANS, the Centre for Brain Research, the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) and the Government Mental Health Institute, Visakhapatnam. Discussions focused on building a stronger national dementia ecosystem through awareness programmes, research and policy support.

Sharing insights from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India, DIA Vice-President Dr. N. S. Raju reported that Andhra Pradesh has a dementia prevalence of 7.7 percent, higher than the national average. He estimated that the number of people living with dementia in the state could reach eight lakh by 2036. He called for early diagnosis, trained manpower, community-based care and better district mental health services.

Dr. P. T. Sivakumar, head of the Geriatric Psychiatry Unit at NIMHANS, spoke about the increasing burden of dementia, which leads to memory loss, behavioural changes and long-term dependence. He outlined the services available at the Dementia Support Centre at NIMHANS, including personalised care plans, caregiver training, volunteer support, legal guidance and financial assistance.

The inaugural session was attended by GIMSER Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr. B. Geetanjali, DemCon’25 Joint Secretary Dr. B. Karteek, Andhra Pradesh State Nodal Officer for Mental Health Dr. Neelima Surapaneni and senior neurologist Dr. Rajinder K. Dhamija.

More than 800 delegates participated, including clinicians, researchers, policymakers, caregivers, students and representatives of elder-care organisations and hospitals from across the country.