Sunita Sharma, DGHS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, emphasised the importance of aligning and converging dementia policy with existing government programmes such as the National Programme for Healthcare of the Elderly (NPHCE), the National Health Mission (NHM), and the non-communicable diseases initiatives.
Over 100 participants attended the consultative meet. Experts and caregivers stressed that the strategy must address early diagnosis, stigma reduction, caregiver support, workforce training, and financial protection for families.
The consultative meet concluded with a strong consensus that India’s dementia strategy should be multi-sectoral, involving health, social welfare, education, and financial systems and prioritise awareness, early detection, and stigma reduction.
They also called for strengthening training and capacity-building across healthcare levels, support families and caregivers through accessible community-based services and ensure financial protection and integration into existing welfare schemes.
Dementia India Alliance and IHBAS will compile key recommendations from the meet into a report to guide the formulation of India’s National Dementia Strategy to be submitted to NITI Aayog and relevant ministries.
Speaking at the consultative meet, Rajinder K Dhamija, Director, IHBAS, said, “This consultation allows us to align research, clinical practice and policy, ensuring that the strategies we develop are practical, evidence-based and responsive to the needs of individuals and families affected by dementia”
Radha S Murthy, president of Dementia India Alliance, said, “By bringing together experts, policymakers, caregivers and civil society, we aim to build an inclusive framework that addresses prevention, care and support for people living with dementia across the country.”
(With PTI inputs)
