Health Minister inaugurates world's first WHO collaborating center for stroke at CMCH

Ludhiana, July 31, 2024: Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh on Wednesday inaugurated the world's first World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Stroke at Christian Medical College & Hospital (CMCH), Ludhiana.

Addressing the gathering at CMCH, the Minister stated that it is a proud moment for Punjab to have the only such centre in the field of stroke here. He noted that the state faces a significant challenge in managing the burden of stroke cases, with approximately 40,000 new cases registered each year. Treatment for stroke is time-critical, and in patients with ischemic stroke, clot-bursting injections (thrombolysis) can be administered within 4-5 hours after the onset of stroke symptoms.

Additionally, in patients with blockage of a large artery, a stent can be used to remove the clot from the brain (mechanical thrombectomy) within 24 hours.

Dr. Singh also mentioned that the state health department will explore collaboration with the center to train doctors and nurses from government hospitals in stroke care, aiming to save lives by providing timely treatment. This initiative is intended to develop a model of stroke care in Punjab, with CMCH serving as the hub hospital to guide and support government hospitals and medical colleges across the state in effectively managing stroke cases. Furthermore, he emphasized the need for a study by CMCH and other medical colleges on lifestyle disorders among the people of Punjab.

President-Elect of the World Stroke Organization and Principal and Professor of Neurology at CMCH Dr. Jeyaraj D Pandian highlighted that the advanced stroke center has been working closely with the WHO Southeast Asia region (WHO SEAR) for the past eight years to improve public awareness about stroke in the region. Dr. Pandian emphasized that the new designation of WHO center will enable the expansion of the center's work to other WHO regions across the world.

Director of Medical Education and Research Dr. Avnish Kumar, CMCH Director Dr. William Bhatti and Civil Surgeon Dr. Jasbir Singh Aulakh also commended the efforts of the advanced stroke center, noting that the center will strengthen stroke services in Punjab.