Chennai, 23 October 2026: SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, through its Department of Community Medicine, inaugurated AGE WELL INDIA National Geriatric Summit, centred on the theme “From Prevention to Policy: Building Healthier Ageing Systems,” the summit aims to bring greater attention to the healthcare needs of older adults and the importance of strengthening systems that support healthy ageing.
The summit was inaugurated in the presence of Dr. Binod Kumar Patro, Director, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW), New Delhi, who attended as the Chief Guest, and Padma Shri Dr. V. S. Natarajan, Founder and Chairman, Dr. V. S. Natarajan Geriatric Foundation, who was the Guest of Honour.
The summit highlights the growing importance of geriatric healthcare in public health and medical education, with a focus on preventive approaches, comprehensive healthcare for older adults, and the role of policy in developing sustainable and accessible ageing-care systems. The theme underscores the need for coordinated efforts among healthcare professionals, academic institutions, policymakers and public health organisations to address the evolving needs of an ageing population.
Delivering the address, Prof. Dr. R. Jayanthi, Dean (Medical), SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, said, “Geriatric care is not just about addressing medical needs; it is about ensuring dignity in aging. As the world’s population grows older, it is our collective responsibility to help every individual age healthily, gracefully, and with dignity.”
Dr. Binod Kumar Patro, Director, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW), New Delhi, said, “Geriatric care must be integrated into primary healthcare, with a focus on prevention, rehabilitation, and dignified care for older persons. The insights from this summit should translate into actionable policies to strengthen elderly care across India.”
Padma Shri Dr. V. S. Natarajan, Founder and Chairman, Dr. V. S. Natarajan Geriatric Foundation, who was the Guest of Honour, said, “the time has come to look at ageing very seriously. Geriatric care is not just a medical responsibility, but a social responsibility. As our elderly population grows and the younger generation becomes smaller, we must strengthen geriatric services, rehabilitation centres and the training of more geriatricians to ensure that older people live with dignity, independence and quality of life”.
Through AGE WELL INDIA, the Department of Community Medicine seeks to reinforce the importance of placing healthy ageing within the broader public health agenda. The summit’s theme, “From Prevention to Policy: Building Healthier Ageing Systems,” reflects the need to connect preventive healthcare with institutional planning and policy action to better support older adults and improve their quality of life.
The event marks an important academic initiative at SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre to encourage dialogue on geriatric healthcare and highlight the role of medical institutions in responding to the healthcare challenges and opportunities associated with population ageing.
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