City to get ISA-endorsed stroke centres

The Indian Stroke Association (ISA) on Thursday announced its plans of establishing stroke units across India.

The Indian Stroke Association (ISA) on Thursday announced its plans of establishing stroke units across India.

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Within the next three months, the ISA plans to endorse 200 primary stroke centres across the country to treat patients who suffered a brain stroke. Mumbai will be among the various cities getting such centres.

The logo reflecting ISA-endorsed stroke units was also unveiled at the event. It will help patients identify units closest to their homes in case of an emergency.

The centres will be endorsed by the ISA after following a stringent process and the endorsement will be awarded only to hospitals equipped with the highest levels of skill-sets and technologies required to treat stroke. “The ISA executive committee will train the doctors and give the required knowledge support to hospitals interested in setting up such centres,” said Dr Shrish Hastak, president, ISA.

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Lilavati Hospital, Hinduja Hospital, Bombay Hospital, are few places conducting thrombolysis (process of dissolving clots), essential to treat ischemic strokes.

“We felt the need for such centres after it was observed that many patients after suffering a stroke landed up to the nearest hospital, only to realise that it was not equipped with the right doctors or technology to treat strokes,” said Hastak.