India must develop a comprehensive national strategy on ageing and mental health to tackle the rising prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease, health experts have emphasized. In an editorial published in the Indian Journal of Public Health, specialists from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, along with M M Medical College and Hospital, Himachal Pradesh, called for the implementation of a National Dementia Plan aligned with the World Health Organization’s global framework.
Experts stressed that Alzheimer’s should not be treated solely as a clinical concern but as part of a broader public health strategy addressing ageing and cognitive health. Dr K Madan Gopal, one of the authors, highlighted the importance of integrating cognitive health screening into primary care, investing in long-term care models, strengthening caregiver support systems, and expanding research on risk factors.
“The call is clear: We must act early, invest smartly, and plan humanely. Alzheimer’s care must become part of our larger health systems strengthening and social protection agenda, ensuring dignity, inclusion, and support for every ageing Indian,” Dr Gopal stated.
Current estimates indicate that approximately 5.3 million Indians are living with dementia, a number projected to nearly triple by 2050 due to the country’s ageing population. Experts emphasized the need to make dementia care more accessible and effective by integrating it into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, expanded health and wellness centres that can provide community-level screening, counselling, and referral services.
The editorial also highlighted the role of memory clinics and telemedicine platforms, such as eSanjeevani, in improving diagnosis and treatment. Experts called for increased investment in services for individuals affected by dementia and suggested drawing lessons from India’s previous large-scale public health initiatives, including HPV vaccination drives, mission-mode nutrition campaigns, and the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination effort.
The proposed national dementia strategy would focus on raising mass awareness, encouraging community participation to reduce stigma, and promoting early help-seeking. Standardized guidelines for screening, diagnosis, and care across all levels of the health system were also recommended to ensure consistent quality. Public–private partnerships were identified as a key mechanism for expanding the reach of memory clinics, developing affordable assistive technologies, and providing comprehensive caregiver training.
Experts concluded that such an integrated approach could accelerate the creation of a comprehensive and inclusive framework for dementia care in India, addressing the country’s growing Alzheimer’s challenge while ensuring support, dignity, and inclusion for those affected.
