Health · Medical Research · 1 hr ago
ICMR official urges more research into elderly care and medical devices
At Kerala University of Health Sciences’ annual Research Day, ICMR official Sanghamitra Pati called for more research into elderly care.
India had 149 million people aged 60 and over in 2022, and that number is projected to reach 347 million by 2050.
More than 32% of elderly people had multiple chronic conditions, while 29% had high levels of depressive symptoms and an estimated 8.8 million lived with dementia.
Pati said research should support evidence-based care and noted that KUHS has established a centre for geriatric care.
KUHS also urged young researchers to develop medical devices in India to reduce the country’s reliance on imported equipment.
The university plans to give ₹10,000 each to 1,000 students a year through its research awards, and collaboration with ICMR was discussed.
ICMR Additional Director General Dr. Sanghamitra Pati called for more research into geriatric healthcare as India’s elderly population is projected to reach 347 million by 2050.
She delivered the Padma Vibhushan Dr. M.S. Valiathan Memorial Oration at Kerala University of Health Sciences’ second annual Research Day.
Pati cited chronic conditions, depressive symptoms and dementia among older people in India as reasons for sustained research.
She also urged young researchers to develop work that could bring social change and called for stronger collaboration between KUHS and ICMR.
KUHS Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal called for research into locally developed medical devices to reduce reliance on imports.
- Who
- ICMR Additional Director General Dr. Sanghamitra Pati and KUHS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal.
- What
- Pati urged more research into geriatric care and stronger collaboration with ICMR. Kunnummal called for research into innovative medical devices.
- When
- Wednesday, at the second annual Research Day. The article was published on October 14, 2026.
- Where
- Kerala University of Health Sciences Senate Hall, Kerala, India.
- Why
- India’s elderly population is projected to grow, with many older people living with chronic conditions, depressive symptoms or dementia. Kunnummal said India depended on imported medical equipment.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
India had 149 million elderly people, according to figures cited by Pati.
India’s elderly population is projected to reach 347 million.
Pati delivered the memorial oration at KUHS’s second annual Research Day.
- Projected elderly population
- 347 million in India by 2050
- Elderly population
- 149 million in India in 2022
- Multiple chronic conditions
- More than 32% of elderly people in India in 2022
- High depressive symptoms
- 29% of elderly people in India in 2022
- Dementia
- An estimated 8.8 million elderly people in India
- Research awards
- KUHS honoured 428 undergraduate students; it planned to give ₹10,000 each to 1,000 students annually