On October 27, a public hearing was held in the Brazilian Federal Senate by the Human Rights Commission to debate the public policies for the care of people living with dementia. This hearing, chaired by dementia advocate Senator Paulo Paim, follows the passing of the National Law of Care for those living with dementia in November 2022.
ADI CEO, Paola Barbarino presented on the global impact of dementia and the importance of a National Dementia Plan for Brazil, and the estimated 1.8 million people expected to be living with dementia, a figure set to increase to 5.6 million by 2050. Elaine Mateus, President of the Brazilian Federation of Alzheimer’s Associations (Febraz) also partook in the sessions and reiterated calls for a National Dementia Plan and further support for those living with dementia and carers in the country.
Following this hearing, the bill for ‘National Care Policy for Alzheimer’s and Dementia’ was supported by Deputy Laura Carneiro and approved by the Constitution and Justice and Citizenship Commission, and is now proceeding to the plenary of the House of Deputies, with the hope of legally implementing Brazil’s own National Dementia Plan.
This Senate hearing and focus on dementia comes at an important time, with Brazil set to take over the presidency of the G20 in 2024. It also signals further activity in the WHO region of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) where just 7 National Dementia Plans exist. It is ADI’s hope that a National Dementia Plan for Brazil will soon become a reality and further PAHO Member States will take note and act.
ADI wishes to congratulate FEBRAZ at this pivotal moment following decades of advocacy in Brazil.