Catholic Health Association Unveils 5-Year National Roadmap to Transform Elderly Care Across India

CHAI PUTS ELDERLY CARE AT CENTRE OF FIVE-YEAR HEALTH MINISTRY ROADMAP BENGALURU — Addressing the growing healthcare needs of India's aging population, the Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI) has identified elderly care as a top priority for its health ministry over the next five years. During CHAI’s Annual General Body Meeting (AGBM) held on September 24–25, 2026, at St John’s Medical College in Bengaluru, approximately 160 delegates gathered under the theme “Shaping the Future of Elderly Care: A Shared Mission, A Continuing Journey.” Expanding Care Beyond Hospitals and Institutions The national conference brought together Church leaders, religious congregations, healthcare professionals, member institutions, and sector experts to examine models for moving elderly care beyond hospital walls. Discussions focused heavily on strengthening: Home-based healthcare and palliative care Support systems and training for family caregivers Grassroots community outreach and efficient referral networks Highlighting the vision behind the initiative, CHAI Director General Sr. Dr. Helen Mary A. stated that the discussions aimed to establish a unified direction across the Catholic health network, prioritizing compassionate, person-centered services rooted directly in local communities. The 2026–2031 Elderly Care Roadmap Member institutions showcased eight innovative caregiving models through poster presentations, highlighting hospital-linked services and community-based programs designed to keep elderly individuals integrated with their families. These insights directly contributed to formulating the CHAI Elderly Care Roadmap 2026–2031. This strategic framework will focus on: Fostering inter-institutional collaboration across CHAI’s extensive national network. Strengthening institutional capacities and formal caregiver training. Scaling effective caregiving models to improve access for vulnerable senior citizens. Launching a digital profiling initiative to map network capacities and support data-driven, evidence-based health planning. Global Partnerships and Technology Integration The conference also featured perspectives from international stakeholders, including representatives from the Vatican, Samsung Healthcare, and St Vincent’s Health Australia. Adj. Prof. Patrick Garcia, Chief Legal and Partnerships Officer at St Vincent’s Health Australia, commended CHAI’s commitment to reaching underserved populations that face severe barriers to healthcare access. He noted that the gathering created valuable opportunities for exchange and future collaboration between Australian and Indian healthcare organizations. By reaffirming its commitment to holistic senior care, CHAI aims to build a sustainable national network that ensures older persons live their later years surrounded by dignity, quality medical support, and genuine companionship.