Mission Brain Attack receives an overwhelming response in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, 24 August 2024: ‘Mission Brain Attack’, a nation-wide campaign, focussed on end- to- end care for strokes that was recently launched by the Indian Stroke Association (ISA) in Varanasi, received an overwhelming response in Hyderabad. It begins with addressing prevention and moves on to acute management and rehabilitation. Global statistics reveal that one among every four individuals may suffer from stroke.

Addressing the press conference, Dr Nirmal Surya, President, ISA, opined, “There are three major reasons that cause stroke- blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol. If your elders have suffered from a stroke and you also have blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol, then you need to be cautious. In such cases, it is advisable to keep your weight low, control cholesterol and quit alcohol and tobacco.”

He further added, “Current statistics reveal that on an average three individuals are suffering from paralysis every minute.  Paralysis is also the third biggest cause of death.”

Dr Arvind Sharma, Secretary, ISA, averred, “Mission Brain Attack is the only Pan- India campaign of its kind that addresses every aspect from stroke prevention, awareness, management, care, and rehabilitation. Hyderabad has well and truly risen up to the occasion and embraced the campaign with great enthusiasm, zest and zeal.”

The press conference coincided with the Stroke Summer School, the flagship event of the ISA. Speaking on the occasion Dr P Vijaya, President Elect-ISA & Organising Secretary- ISA Stroke Summer School 2024, observed, “Under the ages of Indian Stroke Association, we are conducting the 10th edition of Stroke Summer School 2024 at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad. This prestigious training programme & flagship event of ISA is designed specifically for inducting DM and DNB Neurology trainees in the field of Stroke Medicine. Stroke or Brain attack is a leading cause of disability worldwide. In India, every 30 seconds, one person is affected by stroke, and there is one death every three minutes due to stroke. Last few decades have seen rapid advances in the diagnosis, treatment, as well as rehabilitation of stroke patients.”

The aim of ‘Mission Brain Attack’ is to create awareness on brain stroke and provide end-to-end care on three fronts- Primary prevention which is to control risk factors, acute treatment including thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy in golden hour, and so also to provide long term rehabilitation for those with disability.

The Stroke Summer School 2024 was very well attended, extremely high on the knowledge quotient, and very thought provoking. Nearly hundred students were selected from thirty-four cities across India, to ensure focussed learning through workshops, lectures and case-based discussions. From the very basics to the latest trials, various topics were discussed by national and international experts in the field of stroke neurology. The highlight of the Stroke Summer School 2024 edition was the announcement of a quiz competition and a poster competition for the registered participants. The theme for the poster competition was ‘World Stroke Day