India Needs Neurologists, Telemedicine to Combat Stroke Crisis: Health Ministry

Stroke is the second leading cause of death in India. It impacts over 1.9 million people across India annually, and timely intervention is crucial for saving lives and improving outcomes.

The Union Health Ministry has stressed the critical need to increase neurologist numbers and adopt telemedicine to address India’s escalating stroke burden, with over 1.8 million new cases annually. Stroke remains a leading cause of disability and death in the country.

“Addressing stroke care in India requires a multi-faceted approach that integrates prevention, timely diagnosis, and robust infrastructure,” said Dr K Madan Gopal, Advisor to the National Health Systems Resource Centre, at a recent event.

Dr Gopal highlighted that screening programs for hypertension and diabetes under the National Programme for Non-Communicable Diseases are essential.

However, he pointed out that capacity building, particularly increasing neurologists and using telemedicine, is where the real challenge lies.

Further, he stated that the economic and emotional toll of strokes is immense, exposing critical deficiencies in healthcare access and infrastructure.

Moreover, at the event, World Stroke Organisation President Dr Jeyaraj Pandian called for equitable healthcare solutions.

“The WHO emphasises stroke surveillance as a priority, yet the struggle lies in gathering reliable data on mortality and addressing variations across regions. A comprehensive approach that includes rehabilitation and prevalence programmes, both locally and globally, is critical to transforming stroke care and outcomes,” he said.

Stroke is the second leading cause of death in India. It impacts over 1.9 million people across India annually, and timely intervention is crucial for saving lives and improving outcomes.

Reportedly, a stroke occurs every 40 seconds, and a stroke-related death happens every four minutes. It ranks as the third leading cause of death and sixth in disability.

The first 60 minutes post-stroke, known as the Golden Hour, are crucial for intervention, significantly improving recovery outcomes. The high cost of stroke-related hospitalization highlights the need for immediate medical attention.

Recent Initiatives in Stroke Treatment

Days back, Boehringer Ingelheim India partnered with RED.Health to strengthen emergency pre-hospital stroke care in the country.

The agreement, signed through Boehringer Ingelheim's Angels Initiative, focuses on faster response times, advanced training, and standardized medical protocols to improve patient outcomes.

In March, Ludhiana’s Christian Medical College (CMC) Hospital joined hands with Medtronic, a global healthcare technology company, to introduce Qure.ai’s AI-powered advanced stroke care solution.

This advanced technology analyzes brain scans with efficient speed, aiding doctors in identifying stroke-related issues promptly. With this initiative, CMC Hospital plans to expand the use of this technology to more hospitals in Punjab.

Last year, Medtronic India partnered with Qure.ai to integrate AI for advanced stroke management in the country. This collaboration combines Medtronic's neuroscience expertise with Qure.ai's AI-enabled innovations to provide comprehensive stroke care solutions.