Kerala mulls boosting stroke treatment network via hub-and-spoke model

The Kerala government is actively considering a proposal to strengthen the network of post-stroke treatment facilities across the State by equipping medical college hospitals and district general hospitals under a hub-and-spoke model, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan informed the Assembly on Wednesday.

Replying to a calling attention motion moved by A.K.M. Asharaf, the Minister said that post-COVID-19 stroke cases are generally on the rise in the State. However, more clinical studies are required to establish the reasons behind the increase in stroke cases among the public, especially among the youth.

Of the two major types of stroke being reported – haemorrhagic stroke and thrombotic stroke (also known as ischemic stroke) – timely treatment can save patients’ lives in thrombotic stroke cases. Life-saving medicines can completely reverse the effects of thrombotic stroke, in which a blood clot (thrombus) forms inside one of the brain’s arteries, if the patient is taken to a stroke unit within 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms, he said.

The State government has established stroke units in 12 districts as part of a combating lifestyle diseases programme, except for Wayanad and Malappuram, where stroke units will soon be set up at the medical college hospitals, the Minister said. Establishing post-stroke rehabilitation units is also important for the treatment and recovery of stroke patients. The State will consider setting up thrombolytic rehabilitation units across Kerala after consultations with senior medical officials, he said.

The State government will also consider the suggestion to increase insurance coverage for stroke treatment to ₹5 lakh under the Karunya Health Insurance Scheme, the Minister added.

It is equally important to create public awareness about stroke and its risk factors in order to prevent a further rise in cases, he said.