In Bengaluru on October 29, 2024, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital marked World Stroke Day with the launch of the Ramaiah Stroke Centre. This newly established facility is a 24/7 multi-disciplinary stroke management unit, designed to provide extensive stroke care with an on-site Neurointensive Care Unit. The launch was attended by Dr. SC Nagendra Swamy, President of Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, Dr. Madan S Gaekwad, Chief Operating Officer, and senior consultants from the hospital’s accident and emergency, neurosurgery, and neurology departments.
Stroke is currently the third leading cause of death and the sixth leading cause of disability in India. Often called a brain attack, stroke can happen to anyone, anytime, with varying effects depending on severity. Immediate treatment is critical, with the first 4.5 hours—referred to as the Golden Hour—being essential for potentially life-saving interventions. A comprehensive stroke centre can ensure a patient receives the appropriate care from the moment of arrival, aiming to support recovery and rehabilitation.
Dr. SC Nagendra Swamy, President of Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, highlighted the increasing need for accessible stroke care, stating, “The incidence of stroke is on the rise in our country at 138 per 100,000 population. A recent research study by The Lancet South East Asia revealed the need for an immediate and long-term stroke surveillance framework to address the increasing burden of stroke in India. The quintessential challenge, however, remains that of setting up a comprehensive stroke care centre that is easily accessible in times of emergency. I am pleased that, on the occasion of World Stroke Day, we, at Ramaiah Memorial Hospital are announcing the launch of our multidisciplinary, all-encompassing Ramaiah Stroke Centre that is designed to run 24/7 and cater to every patient suffering a stroke and ensure that, at every step the patient will be protected and taken care of with utmost precautionary measures.”
The purpose of the Ramaiah Stroke Centre is to reduce instances of death and disability through a multi-disciplinary approach that includes rapid diagnosis, immediate medical and surgical interventions, and prevention measures. The centre houses a 6-bed Stroke ICU within the Neuro ICU to ensure that all patients benefit from comprehensive clinical and rehabilitative care.
Dr Aruna D Ramesh, HOD & Senior Consultant, Department of Accident & Emergency, highlighted the hospital’s use of the Stroke Code Protocol, noting that it ensures timely action. “When it comes to stroke management, the Stroke Code protocol is initiated within the Golden Window Period of 4.5 hours when a patient is suspected of having a stroke. We, at Ramaiah Stroke Center, follow the recommended standards of stroke care of 8 Ds of the Stroke Code, including Detection, Dispatch, Delivery, Door, Diagnosis, Decision, Drug, and Disposition.”
The Stroke Centre’s multi-disciplinary design aims to address the initial symptoms of a stroke through recovery. “The benefit of having a comprehensive multi-disciplinary stroke centre is to ensure that the likelihood of severe damage or death can be prevented from the time the warning signs are identified till the time the patient is brought to the Stroke Center for treatment,” Dr Ramesh added.
Dr Sunil V Furtado, HOD & Senior Consultant in the Department of Neurosurgery, spoke on the critical role of neurosurgical procedures in stroke care, explaining, “There are instances wherein many of the patients are not the candidates for only clot-busting drugs and may need emergency surgery to treat blocked or bleeding brain blood vessels.” Following initial assessments, emergency procedures can be performed to open blocked arteries and restore blood flow, reducing long-term impacts.
Dr Mahendra JV, HOD & Senior Consultant, Department of Neurology, addressed post-stroke care, explaining that patients are monitored closely in the Stroke ICU for stroke-related issues such as swallowing and other functional challenges. “As part of Ramaiah Stroke Center, we ensure that all types of necessary clinical treatments and therapies are given to every stroke patient to ensure that any chances of stroke progression are prevented.”
An advanced Neuro Rehabilitation Unit provides comprehensive post-stroke recovery support. Dr Partha Sarathi, Chief Consultant in Neuro Rehabilitation, noted the tailored approach to patient recovery, “The process of recovery may vary from patient to patient and may take weeks to months to get back to normalcy. At the Ramaiah Neuro Rehabilitation Unit, every stroke patient undergoes a customised evaluation for their physical, occupational, and speech therapy requirements, alongside intensive rehabilitation.”
Ramaiah Memorial Hospital aims to provide the best care during hospitalisation and post-discharge, minimising risks of recurrent strokes and ensuring that patients are supported at each stage of recovery.