A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, cutting off oxygen and nutrients. Without these, brain cells begin to die within minutes, leading to potential brain damage, long-term disability, or death. Immediate emergency care is crucial.
Published Sep 09, 2024 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 09, 2024 | 7:00 AM
Brain stroke. Representative Image. (iStock)
In a groundbreaking move aimed at combating the devastating effects of stroke, Kerala has become the first state in India to launch the ‘Mission Stroke’ initiative.
Aimed at raising stroke awareness, ensuring timely medical intervention and enhancing treatment outcomes for stroke patients, the initiative has been rolled out in Pathanamthitta district.
It is presumed that Mission Stroke marks a significant step forward in providing timely and effective care for stroke victims.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, cutting off oxygen and nutrients. Without these, brain cells begin to die within minutes, leading to potential brain damage, long-term disability, or death. Immediate emergency care is crucial.
Dr PN Sylaja, a key figure in Mission Stroke, told South First that the core objective was to enhance public awareness around stroke — its symptoms, early recognition, and critical follow-up care.
She added that the initiative placed particular emphasis on educating primary healthcare physicians and volunteers through a robust capacity-building programme.
“This ambitious initiative is set to roll out nationwide, with Kerala and Tamil Nadu chosen as the starting points. Notably, Pathanamthitta has become the first district in India to officially launch the programme. In Kerala, it is being implemented as a collaborative effort,” Sylaja, professor and head of neurology, at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), said.
Even though it was the Indian Academy of Neurology that pitched the very idea of Mission Stroke, it will be jointly implemented by the Kerala Association of Neurologists, the Comprehensive Stroke Care Unit of SCTIMST and the Non-Communicable Disease Unit of the Kerala Health Department.
While stressing the importance of recognising stroke symptoms, seeking immediate medical attention, and adhering to follow-up care, Sylaja said that the priority was to ensure public understanding of the importance of timely treatment and that health workers were equipped to act swiftly.
“For the general public, a range of outreach programmes is being planned, including house visits by Junior Health Nurses (JHN), Junior Public Health Nurses (JPHN), and ASHA workers. Educational sessions will be conducted in schools to ensure that the community understands the urgency of immediate stroke intervention and the vital importance of timely treatment,” she added.
A critical part of this initiative, according to Sylaja, is promoting adherence to follow-up care, which includes consistent use of medication and regular monitoring of blood pressure and sugar levels.
Dr Sylaja pointed out a concerning statistic: Studies show that 40-50 percent of stroke survivors stopped taking prescribed medications, raising the risk of a second stroke by 10-15 percent.
“Addressing this gap through Mission Stroke is a key priority, aiming to safeguard recovery and prevent future incidents,” she said.
“With this initiative, the goal is clear—to build a well-informed community capable of recognising and responding to stroke swiftly, potentially saving countless lives,” Dr Sylaja added.
In 2023, a study carried out by researchers from the SCTIMST uncovered that individuals who have experienced a stroke are not enthusiastic about undergoing follow-up treatment.
Touted to be the first of its kind in the country, it was a community-based study on post-stroke care, it examined factors like medication adherence and risk factor monitoring, and then recommended ways to prevent another stroke.
As per the study, only 35 percent (313) of the 896 stroke survivors in the community checked their blood pressure and blood sugar in the last six months. Even after they were educated, only another 20 percent did their blood investigations.
According to the health department, unless this risk is reduced, stroke patients will experience repeated strokes, thereby increasing the disease burden in the community.
One of the ways to address this is to train and educate patient, their family members, and community health workers (CHWs) on the risk factors that could trigger another stroke.
Dr Bipin K Gopal, State Nodal Officer, NCD, highlighted the critical role of early intervention in stroke treatment.
He emphasised the “golden hour” within which thrombolytic therapy must be initiated to improve outcomes.
According to him, the project aims to educate the public and healthcare providers about the importance of timeliness in seeking medical assistance.
“Every second counts,” Bipin told South First, adding: “Delayed stroke diagnosis often leads to increased risk of death or long-term disability. The programme’s focus is on educating the public to recognise stroke symptoms and act swiftly to seek medical help.”
The officer further revealed that the initiative, set to be extended to Kozhikode, includes home visits by health workers, school awareness programs, and a year-long capacity-building program for medical professionals.
At Pathanamthitta, around 350 health workers were provided with training on stroke.
“The sessions were being handled by experts. There is Dr Achal Kumar Srivastava, professor, Department of Neurology at AIIMS New Delhi; Dr Sylaja of SCTIMST; Dr Suresk Kumar of Kerala Association of Neurologists and others. Brochures on stroke awareness have been prepared and will be distributed among the public soon,” said Bipin.
The state is said to be a likely candidate for a high stroke disease burden, as it has a high prevalence of high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and Covid-19 infection — all of which are considered risk factors for stroke — among the population.
Being a state that has one of the highest life expectancies in India, Kerala has a large elderly population, who are at a higher risk of stroke due to age-related factors like hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
At the same time, the state health department emphasised that it is commited to establishing stroke centres in all districts, with the ultimate goal of saving lives and improving recovery rates.
“Timely treatment can be the difference between life and death for stroke victims,” said a health official, adding: “Currently, stroke centres are operational in 12 districts, with Malappuram and Wayanad soon to follow.”
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
(South First is now on WhatsApp and Telegram)
