Call for 'Stroke-Ready' Certification in Indian Hospitals
Experts urge for mandatory certification to enhance stroke care in India during a webinar for World Stroke Day.
Experts advocate for government legislation mandating treatment at certified stroke centers.
Stroke is the second leading cause of death, with critical treatment needed within 4.5 hours.
1.8 million new stroke cases are reported annually in India.
During a recent webinar held to commemorate World Stroke Day, Sivarajan Thandeswaran, a stroke medicine expert from Chennai, emphasized the urgent need for Indian hospitals to obtain certification as 'stroke-ready.' He argued that a government mandate requiring patients to be treated at comprehensive stroke centers, similar to practices in Western countries, would significantly enhance stroke care in India.
Thandeswaran, who is a senior consultant at Kauvery Hospital in Alwarpet, highlighted the importance of timely access to medical care, noting that time is the most critical factor in preserving brain function during a stroke. He stated that the current system, which relies on hospitals to voluntarily seek NABH or JCI certification, is inadequate.
In his presentation, Dr. Harish R. Kamath, a consultant neurologist at Kauvery Hosur, detailed the symptoms of stroke, which include loss of balance, blurred vision, facial asymmetry, weakness in limbs, and slurred speech. He pointed out alarming statistics, revealing that 1.8 million new stroke cases are diagnosed each year in India, with 7.25 million fatalities attributed to strokes annually.
The discussion also touched on the disparity in medical resources between urban and rural areas. While major hospitals are equipped with advanced imaging and treatment options like thrombolysis and thrombectomy, remote areas often rely on telemedicine to identify stroke patients and facilitate their transfer to comprehensive stroke centers where specialized care is available.
The experts also addressed lifestyle factors contributing to stroke risk, such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, and insufficient sleep. Thandeswaran encouraged individuals to take proactive steps towards their health, advocating for regular check-ups to improve treatment outcomes.
