Colombia takes major step towards national dementia plan
On 21 July, a bill establishing a National Dementia Policy for Colombia was formally introduced in the Senate by Senator Norma Hurtado, marking the beginning of the country’s legislative journey towards a national dementia law.
The proposed legislation seeks to strengthen prevention, timely diagnosis, comprehensive care, research, support for families and caregivers, and the protection of the rights of people living with dementia.
Congratulations to Alzdecolombia, ADI’s member association in Colombia, for its outstanding leadership throughout this process. Special recognition goes to Dr Eduar Herrera, whose vision and unwavering commitment have driven this initiative forward, and to researchers Hernando Santamarina García and David Aguillón for their invaluable expertise.
This formal filing is an essential first step, and we look forward to supporting Colombia throughout the legislative process towards a stronger national response to dementia.
Learn more about Alzdecolombia: https://www.alzint.org/member/asociacion-colombiana-de-alzheimer-y-otras-demencias-alzdecolombia/
Chilean Ministry of Health collaborates with Ecuador and Argentina to strengthen dementia policy in the region
In July, ADI was pleased to facilitate two technical exchanges between representatives from Chile’s Ministry of Health and representatives from Argentina and Ecuador to support the ongoing development of their national dementia plans. Chile has long been a leading nation in dementia policy and recently launched the second iteration of its National Dementia Plan in March 2026.
These technical exchanges involving Chile’s Ministry of Health followed its recent intervention at the National Workshop on Strengthening Dementia Diagnosis and Care in Mexico City. International collaboration is an essential strategy for strengthening dementia policy in the Latin American region and beyond. By sharing knowledge, experience and good practice, countries can build on one another’s progress and develop stronger, more effective responses to dementia.
Earlier in the month, Chilean delegates met with TASE Fundación, ADI’s member association in Ecuador, during which Fundación TASE presented the draft National Dementia Plan and its six strategic pillars. ADI was represented by Diego Aguilar, Regional Director for the Americas, who joined the discussion alongside colleagues from Chile’s Department of Mental Health, who shared valuable technical feedback and lessons learned from the development and implementation of Chile’s National Dementia Plan.
Learn more about Fundación TASE: https://www.alzint.org/member/tase-foundation-transcend-with-love-service-and-excellence/
Towards the end of the month, ADI successfully concluded a three-day technical exchange mission, bringing together representatives from the Ministry of Health of Chile, the Ministry of Health of the Province of Tucumán, Argentina, and key partners to strengthen public policies on dementia through regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.
The mission formed part of a triangular cooperation initiative aimed at supporting the implementation of Chile’s National Dementia Plan 2025–2035 while strengthening Tucumán’s Provincial Programme for the Comprehensive Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias—the first subnational dementia plan in Argentina.
The Chilean delegation was represented by Milena Pereira Romero, Department of Comprehensive Health Care, and Francisco Cubillos, Department of Mental Health, both from the Ministry of Health of Chile. The mission was coordinated by Diego Aguilar, ADI Regional Director for the Americas, reinforcing ADI’s commitment to fostering cooperation and strengthening dementia policy across the region.
The programme began in Buenos Aires with visits to ALMA, ADI’s member association in Argentina, and FLENI, one of Latin America’s leading neurological institutes. At ALMA, the delegation was welcomed by Gladys Bangueses, President of the organisation, who shared ALMA’s decades of experience supporting people living with dementia and their families while advocating for stronger public policies. At FLENI, delegates met with Dr Ricardo Allegri, an internationally recognised neurologist and member of ADI’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Panel, to exchange experiences on dementia diagnosis, research and specialist care.
The mission then continued in Tucumán, where the delegation was officially welcomed by Dr Luis Medina Ruiz, Minister of Health of Tucumán, together with provincial authorities, representatives of Fundación León and members of the Provincial Advisory Council on Dementia. The visit highlighted Tucumán’s growing leadership in dementia policy and its commitment to strengthening services through international cooperation.
During the workshop, ADI presented the global progress of National Dementia Plans, while the Chilean delegation shared lessons learned from the development and implementation of Chile’s National Dementia Plan. Provincial authorities presented Tucumán’s pioneering programme, highlighting its integrated approach to prevention, early diagnosis, multidisciplinary care, caregiver support and community engagement.
The programme also included a site visit to the Brain Health Node at Nuestra Señora del Carmen Mental Health Hospital, where delegates learned about Tucumán’s model for early detection, diagnosis, multidisciplinary care and follow-up for people living with dementia.
The delegation also delivered a community talk on dementia prevention for older adults attending Fundación León’s ‘León and Estela Feler Active Ageing Centre’, highlighting the importance of healthy lifestyles, early detection and reducing dementia risk.
The mission concluded with a final technical session, during which participants identified priorities for future collaboration, reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening dementia policies across Latin America through continued exchange and mutual learning.
Diego Aguilar, ADI Regional Director for the Americas, said:
One of the greatest strengths of our region is its willingness to learn from one another. This mission showed that international cooperation is not simply about sharing knowledge—it is about building lasting partnerships that accelerate better policies and better care for people living with dementia and their families. The exchange between Chile and Tucumán demonstrates how collaboration can transform innovative ideas into practical solutions that improve lives.
Dr Luis Larcher, Lead of Tucumán’s Provincial Programme for the Comprehensive Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, added:
Receiving colleagues from Chile has been an extraordinary opportunity to reflect on our progress, learn from one of the region’s most established National Dementia Plans and continue strengthening Argentina’s first subnational dementia programme. International cooperation helps us improve the quality of care while ensuring that people living with dementia and their families remain at the centre of our work.
The exchange demonstrated the value of connecting governments, healthcare providers, academia and civil society to accelerate policy development and implementation. Through initiatives such as this, ADI continues to support countries and subnational governments across the Americas in building stronger, more inclusive and person-centred dementia systems. A huge thank you to Fundación León, one of ALMA’s long-standing partner organisations and a valued member of the ALMA network, whose leadership, commitment and local support made this exchange possible.
