Medtronic, a Dublin based medical device manufacturing company has joined hands with World Stroke Organisation (WSO) consecutively for the third year to raise awareness and build a road map for quality stroke control care at the World Stroke Conference held in Hyderabad.
As part of the framework, WSO launched the road map, for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of stroke services globally. Medtronic is one of the sponsors of the road map. India has been chosen for the launch to coincide with the World Stroke Congress in Hyderabad and World Stroke Day.
The road map will provide guidance for local healthcare officials and stroke care clinical groups for the selection of evidence-based recommendations, approaches to implementations in clinical practice and the calculation of performance measures to create an environment of continuous quality improvement.
"India is facing a stroke epidemic. The road map’s introduction is timely and will help our country take positive steps to address the impact of this disease,” said Jeyaraj Durai Pandian, head of neurology, Christian Medical College (CMC), Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
Currently, the stroke incidence in India is much higher than Western industrialized countries. With a population of 1.2 billion, 1.8 million people suffer from stroke and one-third of those afflicted die annually. A 2013 study showed that approximately 23 percent of Indians are unaware of stroke warning symptoms.
Advances in stroke treatment have been significant in recent years and stroke treatment guidelines have begun to reflect those changes; however, many countries, including India, are still struggling to implement the latest guidelines and ensure that patients are getting the appropriate treatment within the recommended time frame. “Every day we see the impact that innovative treatment solutions can have on acute ischemic stroke patients. We are committed to working with our partners to ensure that stroke patients in India and across the world have access to the right treatment at the right time,” said Madan Krishnan, vice president of Indian Sub-continent at Medtronic.
In addition to improving stroke care, Medtronic through its partnerships with WSO and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association is focused on raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke. The signs of stroke may include drooping or numbness in the face; sudden weakness or numbness of one arm; trouble speaking; trouble seeing; loss of balance; or severe headache with no known cause. If someone is exhibiting any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
“The speed at which someone gets medical attention during a stroke is critical to the opportunity for complete recovery. On World Stroke Day and year-round, WSO works to improve awareness of this devastating disease,” said Professor Werner Hacke, president, World Stroke Organization.