Aga Khan University launches initiative to combat dementia

In Kenya, the stigma surrounding dementia remains a significant barrier to care and support, largely due to limited knowledge and understanding of the condition.

Dementia is emerging as a major global public health challenge, with estimates predicting that by 2050, 150 million people worldwide will be affected.

Individuals living with dementia in Kenya often face difficulties accessing a clear pathway for diagnosis and post-diagnostic care. This is due to a lack of research on established care pathways and insufficient support systems, which complicates planning for their future healthcare needs.

The Brain and Mind Institute at Aga Khan University, in collaboration with the FINGERS Brain Health Institute, recently launched the Africa FINGERS Programme. This pioneering initiative seeks to combat dementia across Africa by promoting culturally tailored lifestyle interventions aimed at reducing the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment.

The programme targets individuals aged 50 and above in rural and urban areas of Kenya and Nigeria.

Sub-Saharan Africa is grappling with a rapid rise in dementia cases. In 2015, 2.13 million people in the region were living with dementia, a number projected to more than triple to 7.62 million by mid-century.

By 2050, Africa is expected to have the largest population of people over the age of 60 while simultaneously hosting one of the world’s youngest populations under 20 years old.

According to Dr Zul Merali, director of the Brain and Mind Institute at Aga Khan University, this demographic dynamic presents challenges and opportunities. Studying aging, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease in Africa’s diverse populations may yield valuable insights into risk factors and early interventions that can benefit individuals worldwide.

The Africa FINGERS Programme aims to develop interventions addressing key dementia risk factors in ways that resonate with local cultures. These interventions will undergo rigorous testing through randomized controlled trials, with the goal of creating sustainable strategies to enhance brain health across communities.

At the programme’s launch, Abuya Norbet, Assistant Director of the Directorate of Primary Healthcare, emphasized the importance of this initiative in fostering healthier aging.

epresenting Principal Secretary for Health Mary Muriuki, Abuya described the programme as a critical step in addressing one of the most pressing health challenges of our time—dementia.

“With this growing health challenge, this project is vital because it focuses on prevention rather than treatment,” Abuya said.

“By understanding the unique risk factors specific to our populations and creating culturally relevant interventions, the Africa FINGERS Programme will allow us to address dementia before it becomes unmanageable. This is especially important as our aging population continues to grow.”

Prof Zul Merali expressed optimism about the initiative’s potential to transform brain health, both within Africa and globally.

“Studies have shown that modifiable risk factors—such as diet, physical activity, social engagement, and cognitive stimulation—play a crucial role in brain health,” Merali noted. “By addressing these factors, we can prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.”

Merali also highlighted Africa’s unique position in the global fight against dementia. “By 2050, Africa will have the world’s largest elderly population, even though its current median age is just 20,” he explained. “This duality provides a critical opportunity to understand risk factors specific to Africa while promoting prevention among the younger population.”

Dr Chi Udeh-Momoh, the study’s Principal Investigator, stressed the importance of working directly with communities to develop relevant solutions. “We are co-creating solutions with local communities to ensure the interventions are not only effective but also sustainable and relevant to the people they are designed to help,” she said.

The Africa-FINGERS project was launched during the Dementia and Brain Ageing in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Conference. The event brought together researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to discuss the urgent need for action as global dementia cases are projected to triple by 2050.