The only Stroke Support Group in the country, plans to expand its services to Chennai and Hyderabad. The Stroke Support Group (SSG) for stroke afflicted patients and their families, meets at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, on the second Sunday of every month. This is another project of the Rotary Club of Bombay, which also patronizes the Heart Brigade.

"There are 2100 stroke support groups in the USA but only one in India. Therefore we want to expand this service and turn it into a movement," says Dr Shirish Hastak, consultant neurologist and Rotarian, who coordinates the meetings of the group at Lilavati Hospital.

The group that was started by the Rotary Club three years ago is planning to start similar support groups in Chennai (at Vijaya Hospital) and Hyderabad (at Nizam Institute). "Brain awareness in India is very poor. People in India only fear mortality and not morbidity," says Dr Hastak.

The stroke support group, which started with only 30 members, three years ago, has grown in strength and now incorporates 600 members. They include patients, their family members and also survivors. A team of neurologist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist and nutrition expert discuss the problems of the patients and an educative lecture is held.

The support group essentially helps the people to understand the symptoms of stroke and to take the necessary precautions. Anyone can register with the support group, free of cost. The next meeting of the group will be held on August 10th 2003 at Lilavati Hospital. The speaker for this meeting will be Dr Deepa Israni, Occupational Therapist.