Lok Sabha Question No. 1036 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-05
Subject: Cases of Dementia
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Ajay Kumar Mandal

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1036 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 TH DECEMBER, 2025

## CASES OF DEMENTIA

## 1036. SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to draft and implement a National Policy to address the growing dementia crisis in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the reasons for not incorporating it as part of any independent National Policy/Programme at present despite increasing prevalence rate of dementia in the country;

(c) whether the Government has evaluated for the integration of dementia care facilities to address it more systematically under existing programmes, like the National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE) or the National Mental Health Programme and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to make referral pathways from the primary care to specialised care units for treat much of dementia; and

(e) whether the Government proposes for the registration of cases of a dementia, as suggested by the experts, to monitor distribution and trends of dementia across the States and if so, the details thereof, State-wise?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SH. PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (e) The Government has recognized the growing challenges due to the increase in the prevalence of dementia. The issues related to dementia care, prevention and other related public health measures are covered by the existing policies and programs focused on ageing, noncommunicable diseases and mental health.

Risk for Dementia can be potentially reduced by better management of Diabetes and Hypertension. Government of India is implementing the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) with focus on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, screening, early detection and management of common Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including diabetes and hypertension. Screening for common NCDs is also an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness Centres.

Government is also implementing the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE). The major activities of NPHCE include setting up of Geriatric Department in regional Geriatric Centres (RGC) with OPD care services and 30 bedded Geriatric Ward, setting up of Geriatric units at District Hospitals to provide specialized Geriatric Services including a 10 bedded Geriatric Ward, establishment of a rehabilitation unit at all Community Health Centres and Geriatric Clinics twice a week, setting up of weekly Geriatric Clinic by trained Medical Officers at Primary Health Centres and information, education and communication activities on healthy lifestyle, home care to the bed ridden and supporting devices for the needy elderly persons at sub-centre level.

Further, to address the burden of mental disorders, the Government is supporting implementation of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) under NMHP in 767 districts of the country for detection, management and treatment of mental disorders/ illness. Under the Tertiary care component of National Mental Health Programme, 25 Centres of Excellence and 47 PG Departments have been sanctioned to increase the intake of students in PG departments in mental health specialities as well as to provide tertiary level treatment facilities. The Central and State Mental Health Institutions and the Psychiatric Wings of the Central and State medical colleges also have facilities for early detection and treatment for Alzheimer's Disease, which is the most common cause of Dementia.

As per the information received from Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Government is implementing the scheme Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), a component of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) under which grant in aid is provided to Non Governmental/ Voluntary Organisations for running and maintenance of senior citizen homes (old age homes) wherein facilities like shelter, nutrition, medicare and entertainment are provided free of cost to indigent senior citizens. Under the Scheme grants upto 100% of project cost are given for running and maintenance of Continuous Care Homes and Homes for senior citizens afflicted with Alzheimer's disease/ Dementia for a minimum of 20 Senior Citizens who are seriously ill requiring continuous nursing care and respite or those who are afflicted with Alzheimer's disease/ Dementia.

In addition to the above, the Government is also taking steps to strengthen mental healthcare services at primary healthcare level. The Government has upgraded more than 1.81 lakh Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Mental health, Neurological and Substance use disorders (including Dementia) services have been added in the package of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Operational guidelines on Mental, Neurological, and Substance Use Disorders (MNS) including dementia at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been released under the ambit of Ayushman Bharat.

Besides the above, the Government has launched a 'National Tele Mental Health Programme' (NTMHP) on 10th October, 2022, to improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country. As on 27.11.2025, 36 States/ UTs have set up 53 Tele MANAS Cells and have started tele mental health services. More than 29,82,000 calls have been handled on the helpline number.

The Government has also launched Tele MANAS Mobile Application on the occasion of World Mental Health Day - October 10, 2024. Tele-MANAS Mobile Application is a comprehensive mobile platform that has been developed to provide support for mental health issues ranging from well being to mental disorders. The Government has also launched the video consultation facility under Tele-MANAS, as another upgrade to the already existing audio calling facility.

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