Brain stroke helpline launched in Madurai hospital

MADURAI: Madurai mayor V Indirani Ponvasanth on Thursday inaugurated a dedicated helpline number (0452-2581212) for rapid management of brain stroke in Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre (MMHRC).

When a call is made to the helpline, the hospital sends a high tech, lifesaving ambulance to the patient’s location. The patient gets first aid with respect to controlling blood pressure and blood sugar by trained paramedical and emergency care staff.

The patients are triaged based on the severity of the stroke conditions. A team of specialists from neurology, interventional neurology and radiology will attend the patients.

The patients do not have to make any upfront payments for CT or MRI scans done to diagnose, determine the type of stroke and to assess the damage to the brain.

Depending on the severity and cause of the stroke, the treatment options are decided.

“The Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme covers all lifesaving treatments, including the treatments for stroke. We should strive to make Madurai a model for prevention and rapid management of stroke,” the mayor said.

Dr Ramesh Ardhanari, medical director, MMHRC, appealed to the public to call the stroke helpline when a person suddenly develops any neurological issues like slurred speech, drooping smile, vision loss, numbness in legs and arms and inability to raise arms.

“We can bring down the rate of death and permanent disability, with medical intervention within the golden period of 4.5 hours. It is with this aim, we have launched the helpline and rapid response team for stroke,” said Dr B Kannan, medical administrator, MMHRC.


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