Artemis Hospitals launches SAMAY, comprehensive acute stroke management programme

Gurugram: Artemis Hospitals has unveiled a new programme, SAMAY—Stroke, Acting Within, Minutes, Adds to, Years. The programme aims to revolutionise stroke care and tackle India’s growing crisis.

In a report published in the Lancet Neurology journal, stroke, a highly preventable and treatable condition, could lead to nearly 10 million deaths annually by 2050. This projection comes from the collaborative effort of the World Stroke Organisation and the Lancet Neurology Commission, under which four studies have been published. The report underscores that stroke deaths are expected to surge from 6.6 million in 2020 to a daunting 9.7 million by 2050.

Dr Devlina Chakravarty, MD, Artemis Hospitals, said, “Despite advancements, many patients face delays due to insufficient awareness, limited access to healthcare facilities, and inefficiencies in emergency responses. With one stroke death occurring every four minutes in India, the need for immediate action is paramount.”

The programme's slogan, ‘#TimeIsBrain’ represents the urgency to address strokes effectively. The public is encouraged to recognise the FAST acronym—face dropping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, time to call helpline—to facilitate quick response and intervention.

The programme offers a comprehensive approach to acute stroke management with a 24x7 integrated pathway, and dedicated stroke specialists for rapid response. The centre boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure, the latest Bi-Plane DSA with 3D and Angio CT technology. The centre is equipped to handle a significant number of neuro-intervention cases. Additionally, it provides round-the-clock expertise through specialised stroke neurologists and a cutting-edge neuro-critical care setup, ensuring optimal care at all times.

The hospital emphasises the need for improved public awareness, enhanced healthcare access, and better training for healthcare professionals. Developing robust data collection systems is essential for effective stroke management