Kovai Medical Center & Hospital (KMCH), one of Coimbatore’s most reputed hospitals hosted a Walkathon in connection with World Stroke Day to emphasize all to take a step forward to conquer Stroke.
The event was held on 03.11.2019 (Sunday) near CSI Matric Higher Secondary School (opp to Vivanta By Taj) at 7.30 p.m. The participants included stroke survivors, doctors, KMCH Staff, Nurses, students and public alike with emphasis on risk factors, prevention and time based care.
The Stroke walkathon was flagged off by J. Sravan Kumar, I.A.S. Corporation Commissioner, Coimbatore City, in the presence of Dr.Nalla G Palaniswami – Chairman, KMCH and KMCH’s Leading Neurologist & Radiologists.
The Walkathon began at the venue where the participants went around it with slogans and placards conveying awareness about stroke to onlookers. The walkathon ended at the same venue via Race Course Road.
For providing Comprehensive stroke treatment, it requires round the clock emergency multi-disciplinary care comprising various specialties including emergency medicine, neurosciences, imaging and neuro-interventions.
KMCH is the first hospital in Asia to have Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU) which has a CT scanner and point of care blood testing within ambulance to initiate stroke treatment even before patient reaches hospital. Multidisciplinary care is provided by team of senior consultants (4 neurologists, 4 neurosurgeons and 4 neuro-interventionists) along with nearly 15 junior doctors in training annually which is largest in this region with dedicated neuro ICU enabling KMCH to be a pioneer in providing advanced evidence-based emergency stroke care. This teamwork ensures that dedicated specialist care is available across the spectrum for various aspects of acute stroke care even after working hours and on holidays.
The latest analysis of the Global Burden of Disease shows that the lifetime risk of stroke for adults has increased and now stands at 1 in 4. Stroke is a medical emergency and can either be due to block (clot) in blood vessel (Ischemic stroke) or from rupture of blood vessel causing leakage of blood into your brain (Hemorrhagic stroke).
Stroke symptoms include sudden onset inability to move or feel either a portion or entire hand, leg, face or combination of all. Some patients present with blurring of vision, giddiness and imbalance. Sudden onset headache and vomiting are often seen in hemorrhagic stroke. Treatment within first few hours increases chances of recovery and good outcomes.
Early treatment for ischemic stroke is based on imaging (CT/MRI) and includes initiation of clot busting drug (intravenous thrombolysis) within the first 3 to 4.5 hours and/or emergency endovascular procedure (mechanical thrombectomy) within 6 hours (extendable till 24 hours in select patients) which requires dedicated digital subtraction angiography (DSA) lab.
KMCH conveyed through a press statement that it has the pride to claim to be on par, if not, better than recommended time-metrics in acute stroke treatment workflow.
On an average, suspected stroke patient in KMCH undergoes initial imaging (CT/MRI) within fifteen minutes and endovascular treatment initiated within 45 minutes of arrival in hospital. Advanced imaging techniques available at KMCH allows patients presenting even till 24 hours after onset of stroke to undergo endovascular treatment if found eligible for the same. Increased public awareness and utilization of our Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU) will help us shorten this further by initiating imaging and medical treatment while planning for advanced treatment even before the patient reaches the hospital. Dedicated neuro-vascular catheterization lab in KMCH with the latest state of the art bi-plane DSA (Digital Subtraction Angiography) machine ensures there is no time lost in starting complex endovascular treatment in acute stroke with least possible complication rates unlike hospitals equipped only with cardiac labs.
Dr. Nalla G Palaniswami, Chairman, KMCH acknowledged that the stroke walkathon organized close on occasion of World Stroke day offered an ideal platform for raising public awareness about the ever increasing stroke epidemic and provided an opportunity for stroke survivors to inspire many others to initiate lifestyle changes in order to prevent stroke. Increasing stroke incidence especially amongst younger population including females is a cause of concern and KMCH is taking constant efforts to create adequate awareness among the general public. The hospital is equipped with all facilities including Asia’s first Mobile Stroke Unit, advanced imaging, neuro-intervention and dedicated neuro-ICU for the diagnosis and treatment of such stroke patients. KMCH with its team of stroke specialists takes pride in being a pioneer in being able to provide comprehensive and complete round the clock acute stroke care on par with the rest of developed world and serve as apex center as well as referral hub for acute stroke care in Southern India