ISLAMABAD: Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) has announced plans to set up a stroke centre, valued at Rs2.59 billion within the Cardiology Department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).

Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Health Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath hailed the initiative as major breakthrough for potential stroke patients. He said the Stroke Management Unit in the Cardiac Centre would help prevent permanent disability among stroke-affected patients, emphasising the importance of timely interventions such as myocardial and surgical procedures on arteries to prevent strokes.

Dr Bharath said Rs2.59 billion had been approved for the establishment of the stroke centre, which is expected to be completed within six to eight months. The government is actively procuring all necessary equipment and resources to treat stroke patients who have suffered from brain haemorrhages.

He further highlighted that progress had been made in Islamabad and across Pakistan in the healthcare sector.

The introduction of modern equipment and the availability of highly skilled doctors and staff will be prioritised, he added.

“All citizens, regardless of their status, will benefit from modern and standardised facilities. Providing the latest healthcare facilities to the citizens of Pakistan is the government’s top priority,” he said.

The health ministry spokesperson, Sajid Shah, while talking to Dawn, highlighted the importance of administering an injection within half an hour to prevent paralysis in stroke patients. Unfortunately, a majority of hospitals lack this facility owing to the complicated procedure, he added.

“PM Coordinator Dr Mukhtar Ahmed has been trying to ensure that the stroke centre would be established in around six months so that no patient suffers from paralysis due to a lack of better facilities,” he said.

Globally, stroke is the second leading cause of death, resulting in approximately 6.7 million deaths annually, taking a life every five seconds. Every two seconds, someone in the world suffers through a stroke, and almost one in eight deaths is caused by stroke. The incidence of stroke is expected to double within the next 15 years, making it a critical health issue worldwide.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2024