The Directorate of Medical Education and Research together with world’s leading most medical technology company Stryker and Government Medical College (GMC), Patiala organised a programme to raise awareness about stroke as a leading cause of disability.
It comes close on the heels of World Stroke Day which is observed every year on last Saturday of October.
The function held at GMC Patiala was inaugurated by Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh. Brain stroke is one of the major causes of disability both in India and around the world.
In India alone, brain stroke has led to the disability of almost 96 lakhs, leading to an annual loss of approximately 2.3 Lakh crore to the Indian economy.
According to the Global Burden of Disease (2019), Punjab ranks among the top five states in India for Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY) caused by Brain Stroke, with a prevalence rate of 800 per 100,000 and an incidence rate of 191 per 100,000, leading to a projected economic loss of Rs. 5,550 Crores. On an average, Punjab sees an approximate 40,000 deaths or disabilities every year due to brain stroke.
It is widely believed that this loss can be significantly reduced with right and timely administration of already available treatments and through better awareness about the issue. Similarly, advanced technologies like mechanical thrombectomy are expected to play a big role in helping to lower the burden of stroke.
Singh said, the government is committed to take all efforts in raising awareness not just about stroke but also improving its management, and emphasising the critical need for enhanced stroke care within the state.
The recent Health Ministry guidelines on prevention and management of stroke have recognised mechanical thrombectomy as a major technological breakthrough in removal of clot in cases of ischemic strokes.
Stroke awareness booklets created by Stryker, in Punjabi as well as English language were also released by the Minister.
