The stroke emergency, its easy recognition, urgent treatment, rehabilitation and prevention, was the focus during an awareness programme hosted as part of the Jipmer Health Education Initiative.
The 55th interactive session was attended by about 250 people including students from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jipmer, nursing students, Jipmer, and students from various colleges.
Dr. Sunil K. Narayanan, professor and comprehensive stroke care programmer, who was among the panel of experts, emphasised the importance of early recognition of stroke in the peripheral and immediately taking the patient to the stroke ready centre in the time window of four hours. He also stressed the importance of family assisted rehabilitation of stroke patients and the need for old age home for those who do not have close relatives to take care.
The other panellists were Dr. Rajeswari Aghoram, assistant professor, Department of Neurology and Dr. R. Venkateswaran, assistant professor, Department of Medicine.
Jeshma Jayanthy, physiotherapist, spoke on the role of physiotherapists in stroke rehabilitation. Several patients shared their experiences with stroke and the treatment.
The session was moderated by P. Stalin Sundara Raj, medical social worker and V. Sattiyanadamourthy, medical social worker.
A role play was also performed by nursing students of Jipmer.
The session, organised by the Jipmer Health Education for All Forum, was telecast to all Medical Colleges of South India under National Medical College Network (NMCN) Project through Jipmer Regional Resource Centre.