GUNTUR: The Indian Stroke Association (ISA) has launched a pilot initiative in the state aimed at strengthening the stroke care pathway and improving timely treatment for patients suffering from acute brain stroke. Speaking at a training programme for medical officers in Guntur district, ISA president Dr P Vijaya said the initiative was designed to create a comprehensive and scalable model for stroke management that could eventually be implemented across the country. Dr Vijaya emphasised that stroke remains of the leading causes of death and long-term disability worldwide, with ischemic stroke being the most common form. She explained that evidence-based treatment in the form of clot-busting drugs is available for ischemic stroke, but its effectiveness depends entirely on timely intervention. She said that the thrombolytic therapy must be administered within a critical window of four-and-a-half hours from the onset of symptoms to save lives and prevent permanent disability. She said building a strong and efficient stroke care pathway is therefore essential to ensure that patients are identified early and transported quickly to appropriate medical facilities where life-saving treatment can be provided. Highlighting the role of the state in improving stroke management, Dr Vijaya noted that the state govt is already providing the commonly used thrombolytic drug Tenecteplase (TNK) free of cost at designated health centres. However, she pointed out that availability of the drug alone is not sufficient and that a coordinated system is required to ensure that patients reach treatment centres within the narrow therapeutic window. The pilot programme launched aims to address this gap by strengthening coordination between health workers, paramedics and hospitals so that stroke patients receive timely treatment. The training programme has been launched by the ISA in association with the National Health Mission, Andhra Pradesh. As part of the first phase, medical officers in Guntur district are being trained on early identification, management and referral of stroke cases. The programme is expected to serve as a model for expanding similar training across other districts in the state and eventually across the country. Officials said that creating a well-defined stroke care pathway would significantly improve survival rates and reduce long-term disability among patients. Early recognition of symptoms and rapid transportation to hospitals equipped with thrombolytic therapy facilities are considered critical components of effective stroke management. The programme was attended by several senior health officials, including Dr K Narasinga Rao, State NCD Joint Director, Dr Raghavendra Patel, state NCD–WHO consultant, Dr Swapna, state NCD Nodal officer and director of secondary health, Dr Annapurna, deputy district medical and health officer.
