40% of patients at NIMHANS neurology casualty have stroke; KMCRI in Hubbali treats 120 cases a month

Stroke treatment is highly time-sensitive, and delays in diagnosis and intervention can increase the risk of death or long-term disability.

Nearly 40% of patients seeking neurological care at the casualty in NIMHANS are patients, with as many as 705 cases reported every month. As the number of patients requiring emergency neurological care remains a concern, a hub-and-spoke model linking NIMHANS with the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Institute (KMCRI) in Hubballi is helping extend specialised stroke treatment to northern Karnataka.

The initiative aims to ensure that patients receive prompt assessment and treatment closer to home, particularly during the critical first few hours after a stroke. KMCRI manages around 100 to 120 stroke patients a month under the collaborative model, with teleconsultation and coordinated treatment protocols helping doctors make time-sensitive decisions. World Stroke Day is observed on October 29.

Girish B. Kulkarni, professor of Neurology and head of the stroke unit at NIMHANS, said early recognition of symptoms, rapid transportation to a stroke-ready hospital and timely treatment were essential to improving outcomes.

‘Every Minute Counts’

“This year’s theme, ‘Every Minute Counts’, highlights the importance of recognising stroke symptoms early and ensuring that patients reach hospitals that are equipped to provide appropriate treatment without delay,” he said.