Christian Medical College (CMC) principal Dr Jeyaraj D Pandian reads a resolution dedicated to stroke at the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva. Pandian also serves as president, World Stroke Organization.
According to CMC doctors, the WHA adopted it as first-ever such resolution — touted as a major milestone that could transform global response to one of the world’s leading most fatal health issues.
Stroke affects 12 million people every year, killing more than half and leaving two in three survivors with lasting disability. Despite the toll and compelling evidence that strokes can be prevented, treated and recovered from, it has long remained in the shadows of most health agendas.
International framework
The resolution gives every country a framework to close gaps in stroke care systematically. The Egypt Ministry of Health and ministries from Chile, Georgia, Palestine, Paraguay and Tunisia submitted the resolution.
Dr Pandian said that stroke was the second leading cause of death, and third leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The risk of stroke has increased by 50 per cent over the past 20 years, with one in four adults now experiencing a stroke in their lifetime. According to the data, 53 per cent of the people who experience stroke are under 70.
Low and middle income countries bear the highest burden of stroke, with 87 per cent of deaths and 89 per cent of disability life years lost.
Stroke is the leading cause of death in rural India. The National Stroke Action Plan for India was released on March 24.
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