At the end of November, ADI Regional Director for the Americas, Diego Aguilar, attended Brain Week in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. The week featured a collection of events and engagements organised by ADI member, Asociación Alzheimer Bolivia (AAB) and Alzheimer Iberoamérica, including the Bolivian Conference on Neurocognitive Disorders and Dementia Carer Workshop, the Alzheimer Bolivia National Conference, and the Alzheimer University Iberoamérica program.
Diego has contributed to the week of interventions, by delivering a keynote at the AAB Conference’s Symposium on ‘Alzheimer’s Disease as a Public Health Priority’, taking part in a tribute to the late Dr. Francisco Lopera. Diego also attended official meetings with the Government of Santa Cruz de la Sierra and joined the faculty of Gabriel René Moreno National University to call for a National Dementia Plan.
The number of people living with dementia in Bolivia is forecast to more than triple by 2050; reaching almost 137 000 cases. A National Dementia Plan is one of the most effective tools addressing the growing impact of dementia both nationally and globally.
ADI congratulates AAB for their successful facilitation of multiple coordinated events to drive collaboration in this sector, as well as bringing together outstanding scientists from Iberoamerica to promote knowledge in neurosciences, as well as care provision for people living with dementia
Diego remarked:
These sessions are a call to action for Bolivia and the region. This is a pivotal moment for dementia care, which enables ADI to support Asociación Alzheimer Bolivia directly, engage policymakers, and collaborate with local stakeholders essential for establishing a National Dementia Plan. The involvement of ADI members across Latin America enhances momentum toward a holistic approach to dementia care, underscoring the need for policy change and a strong, supportive community for families and carers.
The same week also saw developments in the wider region. The Government of Tucumán, Argentina has taken a historic step for people living with dementia in the region and country, by launching Argentina’s first subnational dementia plan, the Provincial Dementia Plan of Tucumán. This achievement is the result of seven years of advocacy and collaboration by Diego Aguilar, ALMA (Asociación de Lucha contra el Mal de Alzheimer y Alteraciones Semejantes), ADI’s member in Argentina, and local partner Fundación León. ADI extends our thanks to parliamentarians José María Canelada and Adela Estofán de Terraf for their leadership and commitment to making this plan a reality. Their vision has been instrumental to this initiative that aimed to improve the lives of individuals living with dementia and their families.
This historic plan addresses the unique needs of Tucumán while paving the way for the development of a National Dementia Plan, highlighting the power of regional leadership in advancing public health priorities across Argentina.
With continued action taking place across Latin America, ADI looks forward to further positive news and joins in Diego’s call for Bolivia to develop a Nation Dementia Plan.
