GUWAHATI, Oct 30 - Every year 54,890 persons are afflicted by stroke in Assam and more than a lakh in the North East, according to a GNRC study released to the media on the occasion of World Stroke Day on October 29.
In a press release, GNRC Hospitals urged citizens to care for their health and spread awareness about stroke, apart from emphasising the importance of recognising the signs of stroke and seeking treatment quickly.
Around 80 million people living in the world today have experienced a stroke and over 50 million survivors live with some form of permanent disability as a result. As millions of stroke survivors demonstrate, it is possible to get #UpAgainAfterStroke. The incidence and burden of stroke is increasing in India, too, due to unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle. The prevalence of heart disease and stroke had increased by over 50 per cent from 1990 to 2016 in India.
Awareness programmes carried out by GNRC from time to time highlighted common signs of a stroke, known as �FAST�, or Face, Arms, Speech, Time. Face refers to the facial droop on one side, or uneven smile that may occur. For Arm, the person may not be able to keep both arms raised at equal height. Speech refers to the person sounding slurred, having difficulty making sense or understanding commands. The final element is Time; it is imperative to call emergency services immediately if a person exhibits any of these symptoms.
According to GNRC founder Dr Nomal Chandra Borah, lack of awareness about stroke is the primary cause of lack of treatment or inadequate attention to its prevention.
GNRC had launched a unique scheme called Affordable Health Mission to ensure health for all and spread awareness about non-communicable diseases like stroke. Till now 8,10,232 persons have availed free doctor consultations, 63,232 persons have availed free emergency services, 20,119 persons have availed free CT-scan, 43,545 persons have availed free ECG, 36,295 persons have availed free X-ray, 1,15,232 persons have availed free laboratory procedures, 14,016 persons have availed free ultrasound, 23,575 persons have availed free RBS test and 2,13,753 persons have availed free medicines under this scheme, the release claimed.
At Rahman Hospitals: On the occasion of World Stroke Day, an awareness programme was organised by the staff and students of Rahman lnstitute of Nursing and Paramedical Sciences at Rahman Hospitals Pvt Ltd here.
The awareness programme was inaugurated by Dr MLA Rahman, senior consultant neurosurgeon and medical director of the hospital. A poster display and a short documentary on stroke for public viewing formed part of the programme.
Around 1,000 people were given health education regarding the signs, symptoms and early recognition of stroke and the need for hospitalisation.
