In a landmark event held on 29 April at the Chamber of Deputies in Buenos Aires, Argentina reaffirmed its commitment to addressing dementia as a national public health priority.
The Symposium on Brain Health Promotion: Towards a National Dementia Plan gathered key political figures, international experts, civil society leaders, and advocates to call for the urgent approval of Argentina’s first National Dementia Plan.
The event was opened by Deputy Pablo Yedlin, President of the Health Committee, and featured keynote remarks by Deputy Facundo Manes, lead author of the draft legislation promoting brain health and establishing a national dementia strategy. The symposium showcased both scientific evidence and the lived experiences behind the call for action.
Notably, the event included a special intervention by Dévora Kestel, Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Use at the World Health Organization (WHO), who provided a global perspective on dementia as a growing public health priority. Kestel emphasised the urgent need for national strategies, highlighting that dementia affects not only older adults but entire communities and economies.
Adding a provincial and legislative viewpoint, José María Canelada, former Provincial Deputy of Tucumán and author of Tucumán’s landmark Law No. 9.014 on dementia care, shared his experience advocating for Alzheimer’s policies at the sub-national level. His testimony underscored the importance of building coherent policies that integrate both national leadership and local implementation.
“We are standing at a crossroads,” said Deputy Facundo Manes during his address. “This is not just about health; it is about dignity, inclusion, and human rights. The science is clear. Now it’s time for politics to rise to the occasion.”
International perspectives also resonated strongly. Diego Aguilar, Regional Director for the Americas at ADI, emphasised Argentina’s pivotal moment:
Everywhere aging populations are growing, dementia is rising exponentially. This is not a possibility; it is a certainty. Argentina cannot wait any longer. Without a plan, every effort remains isolated. With a plan, each action builds toward systemic transformation.
Diego also stressed that dementia is now the seventh leading cause of death globally, and that costs associated with dementia care are projected to reach USD 2.8 trillion by 2030.
Moving testimony from highlighted the human side of the crisis. Moving testimony highlighted the human side of the crisis. Gladys Bangueses, President of ADI’s member organisation in Argentina, Asociación Lucha contra el Mal de Alzheimer (ALMA), shared:
Behind every number is a family struggling, often silently. A national plan gives hope. It tells every family that they are not alone. That their government recognises them, protects them, and walks beside them.
ADI has been a key partner in supporting Argentina’s efforts. Diego reaffirmed ADI’s commitment:
Argentina’s leadership today sends a signal not just nationally, but across Latin America and beyond: dementia matters. It must be treated with the same importance as any other major public health challenge.
The symposium closed with strong endorsements from multiple deputies and a renewed call for bipartisan support to pass the legislation in 2025. As Deputy Manes concluded:
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. A National Dementia Plan will not just serve today’s seniors, but all of us, in the future we are building together.
With growing public support, evidence-based momentum, and a coalition of advocates and policymakers pushing forward, Argentina appears poised to join the ranks of countries leading the way with a comprehensive, humane, and future-focused dementia strategy.