Telangana Overhauls Healthcare for Rapidly Ageing Population
Hyderabad is witnessing a significant shift in public health planning as Telangana prepares for a dramatic increase in its elderly population. According to a recent Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report titled 'State Finances: A Study of Budgets 2025-26', senior citizens aged above 60 years are projected to constitute 17% of the state's nearly four crore population by 2036. This translates to approximately 68 lakh elderly individuals, marking a substantial demographic transition that demands urgent healthcare restructuring.
Projected Growth and Current Status
Currently, senior citizens account for about 12% of Telangana's population, roughly 48 lakh people. This share is expected to rise to 14.5% by 2031, up from the present 12.5%, before reaching the projected 17% by 2036. This represents an increase of nearly 20 lakh elderly persons over the next decade, highlighting the growing urgency for expanded and specialized healthcare services tailored to ageing citizens.
The RBI report identifies Telangana as one of twelve major states with rapidly ageing populations. The state jointly ranks seventh with Maharashtra, with 17.1% of its population expected to be above 60 years by 2036. Kerala tops this list at 22.8%, followed by Tamil Nadu (20.8%), Himachal Pradesh (19.6%), Andhra Pradesh (18.9%), and Punjab (18.3%). At the national level, India's elderly population is projected to reach 14.9% by 2036.
Infrastructure Expansion Plans
Despite the steady rise in numbers, geriatric healthcare infrastructure in Telangana remains limited, with only one dedicated centre currently operating at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) in Hyderabad. To bridge this critical gap, the state government is planning to establish comprehensive geriatric care centres in all 33 districts, attached to government medical colleges.
Dr. A Narendra Kumar, director of medical education, explained that these proposed centres will be coordinated by NIMS, which will serve as the centre of excellence. "These centres will function under general medicine departments and offer integrated services, including physiotherapy, nutrition, mental health counselling, and specialty referrals. Nodal officers have begun groundwork, and the initiative is expected to be operational by the end of the year," he stated.
Addressing Health Challenges
In parallel with infrastructure development, district medical and health officers have been tasked with preparing detailed lists of elderly persons suffering from various health conditions. This initiative aims to address the rising burden of non-communicable diseases among senior citizens, including hypertension, diabetes, cancer, cardiac ailments, and kidney diseases.
Dr. K Sunil Kumar, head of the general medicine department at Gandhi Hospital, noted a marked shift in the health profile of the elderly. "While earlier, communicable diseases were more common, now non-communicable and lifestyle diseases are increasing. Mental health concerns among the elderly have emerged as a growing need, prompting the government to include psychosocial support in its geriatric framework," he emphasized.
Workforce Development and Partnerships
To strengthen manpower for elderly care, the state plans to introduce geriatric medicine as a specialty course in all 35 medical colleges across Telangana. Currently, specialized geriatric training is offered only at Gandhi Medical College, highlighting a significant shortage of trained geriatricians that must be addressed to meet future demands.
The state government has also partnered with Tata Trusts to implement the 'elder spring response' system, aimed at creating a holistic support network for senior citizens. This collaboration represents a multi-faceted approach to elderly care that extends beyond traditional medical services to include comprehensive social and psychological support systems.
As Telangana's demographic landscape transforms, these comprehensive measures reflect a proactive approach to healthcare planning that acknowledges both the challenges and opportunities presented by an ageing society. The state's initiatives could serve as a model for other regions facing similar demographic shifts across India and beyond.
