40% of patients at NIMHANS neurology casualty have stroke; KMCRI in Hubbali treats 120 cases a month

Stroke treatment is highly time-sensitive, and delays in diagnosis and intervention can increase the risk of death or long-term disability. Nearly 40% of patients seeking neurological care at the casualty in NIMHANS are patients, with as many as 705 cases reported every month. As the number of patients requiring emergency neurological care remains a concern, a hub-and-spoke model linking NIMHANS with the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Institute (KMCRI) in Hubballi is helping extend specialised stroke treatment to northern Karnataka.The initiative aims to ensure that patients receive prompt assessment and treatment closer to home, particularly during the critical first few hours after a stroke. KMCRI manages around 100 to 120 stroke patients a month under the collaborative model, with teleconsultation and coordinated treatment protocols helping doctors make time-sensitive decisions. World Stroke Day is observed on October 29.Girish B. Kulkarni, professor of Neurology and head of the stroke unit at NIMHANS, said early recognition of symptoms, rapid transportation to a stroke-ready hospital and timely treatment were essential to improving outcomes.‘Every Minute Counts’“This year’s theme, ‘Every Minute Counts’, highlights the importance of recognising stroke symptoms early and ensuring that patients reach hospitals that are equipped to provide appropriate treatment without delay,” he said.Dr. Kulkarni said around 1,700 patients attended the neurological casualty services at NIMHANS every month, of whom 705 were stroke patients. The institute administers intravenous thrombolysis to around five to eight patients and performs about five to nine endovascular thrombectomies every month.To northern districtsUnder the hub-and-spoke model, NIMHANS serves as the central specialised centre, while KMCRI in Hubballi is developing its capacity to evaluate and treat acute stroke patients in the region. Teleconsultation and structured coordination between the institutions help doctors assess patients and initiate appropriate treatment without waiting for a transfer to Bengaluru.Amruth, professor and head of the Department of Neurology at KMCRI, said the centre was managing an average of 100 to 120 stroke cases a month.“Through structured coordination and teleconsultation mechanisms with NIMHANS, patients arriving at our centre receive immediate medical management and targeted interventions,” he said.The model is particularly relevant for patients in northern Karnataka, for whom travelling to Bengaluru during a medical emergency can consume valuable time. Stroke treatment is highly time-sensitive, and delays in diagnosis and intervention can increase the risk of death or long-term disability.The KMCRI spoke centre has begun evaluating stroke patients and providing intravenous thrombolysis. A dual-plane digital subtraction angiography (DSA) machine has also been installed at the centre, with endovascular thrombectomy services expected to be introduced soon, Dr. Amruth said.Thrombolysis involves administering clot-dissolving medication to eligible patients with an ischaemic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain is blocked. Endovascular thrombectomy is a procedure in which doctors remove a clot from a blocked blood vessel using specialised equipment. The choice of treatment depends on the type of stroke, imaging findings, the time since symptom onset and the patient’s clinical condition, Dr. Kulkarni said.‘BE FAST’Dr. Kulkarni said improving public awareness was the first step in reducing delays in stroke treatment. He said the acronym BE FAST can help people recognise the signs of a stroke: B for sudden loss of balance, E for eye or vision disturbances, F for facial drooping, A for arm weakness, and S for speech difficulties. The final letter, T, underscores the need to seek timely medical help and act immediately.Sudden onset of any of these symptoms should prompt immediate medical attention. Patients should not wait to see whether the symptoms improve or attempt to manage them at home. They should recognise the warning signs and seek emergency medical attention immediately rather than wait for symptoms to subside, he added. Published - October 29, 2026 06:01 am IST