Over 400,000 people are expected to be living with dementia in Argentina, a figure set to more than double to nearly 900,000 by 2050. Despite forecasts showing that the current dementia prevalence figures in Argentina are on course for this dramatic increase, progression towards tackling this challenge has stalled.
Regional Director for the Americas, Diego Aguilar, alongside politician and neuroscientist Facundo Manes, and delegates from ADI’s Argentinian member association,Asociación Lucha contra el Mal de Alzheimer y alteraciones semejantes de la República Argentina (A.L.M.A), and the wider Alzheimer’s and Dementia Network of Argentina (RADA) joined together to host a seminal workshop aimed at kickstarting urgently required progress in the country.
Taking place in May 2024, in Buenos Aires, the event “Towards a National Dementia Plan in Argentina” sought to chart the course for the development of a National Dementia Plan for the country, discussing vital topics such as improving diagnostic rates, awareness, education, risk reduction strategies, the strengthening of health care services to better support those living with dementia within the country. Collectively, calling on the government of Argentina to take urgent action on an issue which has long been neglected by successive governments.
Following these welcome steps towards encouraging dementia policies in the wider Americas region, Diego Aguilar, who is responsible for supporting 34 national Alzheimer and dementia associations within the Americas, warns that Argentina risks becoming an outlier.
“We have seen tremendous work being undertaken recently in Brazil, Peru and Panama who have all started the development of a National Dementia Plan. As momentum builds in the region, Argentina risks being left behind.”
In 2017, the government of Argentina, alongside all World Health Organization’ Member States committed to developing a National Dementia Plan
“As we move closer to the estimated completion date, it looks increasingly unlikely that Argentina will achieve the targets, including those which seek to reduce or delay the onset of dementia.”
The event brought together health care professionals, carers and people living with dementia to call on the Government of Argentina to commit to developing a National Dementia Plan, we look forward to hearing of future actions in the country.