Strengthening Dementia Care in Africa: WHO Leads Urgent Regional Action
Dementia is rapidly emerging as a critical public health challenge across the continent. With an estimated 1.9 million people currently living with the condition, strengthening dementia care in Africa is no longer optional—it is an urgent necessity. As populations grow and life expectancies increase, that number is projected to rise significantly in the coming decades.
This neurocognitive disorder places a massive economic burden on families and societies, costing an estimated US$15.6 billion annually. Much of this weight falls on unpaid caregivers, predominantly women and family members, who spend an average of 12.9 hours per day providing care—far exceeding the global average of 7.8 hours.
Unpaid caregivers and medical professionals face growing demands as dementia rates rise. Source: Jacob Wackerhausen / Getty Images
A Staggering Policy Gap
Despite this growing burden, the condition remains heavily underdiagnosed. Shockingly, as of 2024, none of the 47 countries in the WHO African Region possessed a standalone national dementia plan or a framework integrated into broader health strategies.
To bridge this policy gap, health experts from 10 African countries recently convened in Nairobi for the 2026 Regional Intercountry Workshop on Dementia. Organized by the WHO Regional Office for Africa, the summit provided a crucial platform to outline practical steps for improving dementia care in Africa by prioritizing early diagnosis, combating social stigma, and integrating specialized services into primary healthcare.
“Dementia is a public health priority for Africa,” stated Dr. Benido Impouma, Director of the Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control Cluster at WHO Africa. “As the number of people affected continues to grow, countries need guidance, tools, and data to act.”
Translating Dialogue into Action
For readers following our Health coverage on the Afrikeye homepage, the Nairobi workshop represents a turning point. The event successfully established a community of practice to sustain collaboration, share reliable surveillance data, and support peer learning among member states.
By expanding the baseline infrastructure for dementia care in Africa, policymakers hope to tackle the condition head-on. Dr. Catherine Wanjiku Waweru, Focal Person for Neurological Disorders at Kenya’s Ministry of Health, emphasized that these discussions must translate into immediate, concrete action at the national level.
Health leaders from 10 African nations met in Nairobi to strategize a unified response. Source: Gallo Images / Gallo Images via Getty Images
“Our priority is to ensure that dementia is recognized early, that people can access quality care and support, and that families are not left to face it alone,” Dr. Waweru said.
Whether securing localized health resources or supporting medical professionals collaborating across borders via initiatives highlighted on Afrikeye Travel, ensuring robust, person-centered dementia care in Africa is vital to protecting the dignity of the region’s aging population.
