Heart attack is the leading cause of death worldwide, while brain stroke is the second leading cause, said Professor (Dr) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, a renowned neurosurgeon and Principal Advisor (Health Sciences) of Siksha 'O' Anusandhan.
Participating in a program organized by the Department of Neurology of the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, SOA, on Tuesday to observe World Stroke Day, Professor Mohapatra said that a stroke can lead to paralysis, blindness or speech impairment and even coma.
High blood pressure, diabetes and obesity are the main causes of stroke. Therefore, it is important for people to make lifestyle changes to protect themselves from this disease, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor (Dr) Pushparaj Samantasinghar, Medical Superintendent of IMS & SUM Hospital, said that patients can recover from stroke to a great extent. He said that all the staff including the doctors of the hospital need to take safety measures to protect the patients.
Professor (Dr) Srikant Sahu, Head of the Department of Neurology of this department, proposed to start a stroke clinic for critically ill patients coming to the hospital, while the organizer of the program, Professor Lulup Kumar Sahu, emphasized the need for a stroke team and a stroke coordinator. Professor Sahu said that this stroke team will help in ensuring that there is no delay in the treatment of the patient when he comes to the hospital.
The programme was moderated by Associate Professor (Dr) Shrimanta Pattnaik, Department of Neurology, while Assistant Professor (Dr) Anil Sahu presented a presentation on ‘Code Stroke’.
A walkathon was also organised on Tuesday morning to mark World Stroke Day.