KUHS Research Day: focus on geriatric care, indigenous medical devices, says ICMR official

With India’s elderly population projected to reach 347 million by 2050, research into geriatric healthcare must be intensified to address the growing burden of age-related illnesses, said Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Additional Director General Dr. Sanghamitra Pati.

Delivering the Padma Vibhushan Dr. M.S. Valiathan Memorial Oration at the second annual Research Day of the Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS) at its Senate Hall on Wednesday, Dr. Pati highlighted the need for evidence-based interventions to address the multiple health challenges confronting the elderly.

India had 149 million elderly people in 2022, and more than 32% of them lived with multiple chronic conditions, while 29% exhibited high levels of depressive symptoms. An estimated 8.8 million elderly people were living with dementia, Dr. Pati said, underscoring the need for sustained research in geriatric care.