Indian Stroke Association Launches “Brain Stroke – Time to Act” Campaign to Combat Rising Stroke Rates in India

Raipur, India – To fight the growing number of brain stroke cases in the country, the Indian Stroke Association, along with the Indian Association of Physicians ,CGAP Raipur Chapter, SEMI has launched a new campaign called “Brain Stroke – Time to Act.” This vital initiative aims to enhance professional & public awareness about brain strokes, emphasizing the importance of early recognition, timely management, and long-term preventive strategies.

With staggering statistics revealing that a stroke occurs every 20 seconds in India, and over 18 lakh new cases reported annually, the need for immediate action has never been clearer to develop and implement a stroke action plan at regional , state and National level .

By launching "Brain Stroke – Time to Act" campaign that includes workshops, CME’s for professionals and public awareness programs for local communities. ISA hopes to foster a proactive approach to stroke management that will ultimately save lives and reduce the growing burden of this medical crisis in India.

Dr. P. Vijaya, President of the Indian Stroke Association, explained that acting quickly during a brain stroke can make all the difference between life and death. “Time is brain. The most effective treatment for a stroke caused by a clot is a clot busting injection called IV thrombolysis, which must be given within 4.5 hours of onset of symptoms. Every second matters because 20 lakh neurons die every minute in a brain stroke. The faster we act, the better the chances of recovery.” She added that the scientific session aims at knowledge sharing with local physicians, ER physicians in managing acute stroke patients and to administer IV thrombolysis within a golden hour . The public awareness program which was conducted in the afternoon session highlighted the “Check BP - Stop Stroke” campaign - about silent hypertension , Using the acronym “BE FAST”- to recognize stroke symptoms & the concept of” Time is Brain” - to reach a stroke ready hospital in the golden hour.  

Dr. Arvind Sharma, Secretary of the Association, announced that the Stroke Awareness Campaign "Mission Brain Attack: Time To Act Now" would continue across India. He further said, “Stroke is emerging as a leading cause of disability and death in India, with increasing prevalence across both urban and rural areas. He also shared that saving lives from stroke is not just about awareness—it’s also about building a strong system to respond quickly. “Many people in India, especially in smaller towns and villages, don’t get the right stroke treatment on time. We need to train ambulance staff, and set up systems like telemedicine so that expert help can reach patients faster. Whether someone lives in a big city or a remote village, they should get the same chance to survive and recover from a stroke.” To build a stronger stroke care ecosystem, we need a unified approach involving public education and awareness, better infrastructure, and timely access to emergency treatment."

Dr. Sanjay Sharma, Senior Neurologist, brought attention to a serious local issue, saying “In Chhattisgarh, many children suffer strokes because of sickle cell anemia, which is more common in this region. If we can screen high-risk groups early and take preventive steps, we can avoid such life-threatening cases in young children.”

Dr. Santhosh Singh, Emergency Physician, stressed the role of quick emergency care “In stroke cases, every second counts. In the emergency room, quick checks and brain scans can help doctors take fast action. The sooner a patient reaches a stroke-ready hospital, the better the chances of survival and recovery.”

During the session, experts explained how doctors can quickly identify and treat brain strokes using special tools and techniques. They shared important updates on how to manage strokes in both adults and young people, how to treat severe cases caused by major blood clots, and how to prevent strokes from happening again in patients who have already suffered one. The session also introduced a simple way for the public to remember stroke symptoms—so they can act fast and get medical help on time.

To help everyone remember stroke signs, experts introduced the BEFAST method:

B – Balance loss

E – Eye vision changes

F – Face drooping

A – Arm weakness

S – Speech difficulty

T – Time to call emergency services

“Brain stroke is a medical emergency. Recognize early, act fast, and seek immediate help. Timely action can save lives and preserve quality of life.”