1.8 million people suffer from stroke every year in India. The stroke incidence in India is much higher than the western countries. Over 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. On the wake of World Stroke Day Institute of Neurosciences organised a Walkathon to emphasize the impact of stroke and create awareness on Stroke prevention amongst the general public. Over 200 staff and doctors participated in the walkathon. Dr. Raju Sivasamy, Vice President, SIMS Hospital and Dr. K.R. Suresh Bapu, Director & Sr. Consultant, Dept. of Neurosurgery flagged off the walkathon.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Raju Sivasamy, Vice President, SIMS Hospital told “Various kinds of Strokes are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality across the globe affecting millions of lives every year. In India the prevalence of Strokes are lesser when comparing to the developed western countries, this could be due to the lower life expectancy. The proportion of Young Strokes is higher in India next to heart and rheumatic diseases. Prevention is better than cure in case of Strokes, creating awareness on strokes and its symptoms amongst the general public are the need of the hour.”
Dr. K.R. Suresh Bapu, Director & Sr. Consultant, Dept. of Neurosurgery and Dr. R. Rithesh, Consultant Neuro intervention & Stroke, Dept. Neurology quoted “The walkathon and other initiatives are organised with a sole purpose of creating awareness on Stroke amongst the public. Brain Strokes are the second most common cause of mortality after coronary artery diseases in India. Know the symptoms Face Arm Speech Time and act fast to save your brain, Time lost is Brain Lost. The battle against Stroke should be a coordinate effort between Government, Civic Bodies, Physicians and general public to benefit the society”.
The walkathon witnessed participation of over 200 staff from various departments and doctors on the walk for a cause.
