New Delhi, January 22, 2025—The National Stroke Summit 2025, held at the FICCI Federation
House in New Delhi, brought together a diverse group of healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to address one of India’s most pressing health challenges: stroke. Organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), in collaboration with the Indian Medical Parliamentarians Forum (IMPF) and the World Stroke Organization (WSO), the summit aimed to enhance awareness, promote innovative solutions and set a five-year action plan for improving stroke care and prevention in India.
Highlighting the Growing Burden of India’s staggering stroke statistics demands urgent attention. Every year, the country reports 1.8 million new stroke cases, with one individual experiencing a stroke every 40 seconds. Stroke-related deaths occur every four minutes, making it the fourth leading cause of death and the fifth leading cause of disability nationwide. These statistics underscore the critical need for immediate action to mitigate this growing crisis.
Ms. Puniya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, opened the summit with a stark reminder: “While India has made significant progress in controlling communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like stroke now account for 66% of deaths in the country. Stroke is a largely preventable condition, often linked to diabetes and hypertension.” She emphasised the government’s commitment to tackling this issue through initiatives like the hub-and-spoke model for stroke care and the establishment of nearly 500 operational stroke care units nationwide.
Regional and Global Perspectives Dr. Balbir Singh, Health Minister of Punjab, stressed the regional implications of stroke, highlighting the estimated 40,000 annual cases in Punjab. “We have adopted a comprehensive stroke care pathway integrating district hospitals and medical colleges. This ensures no stroke patient is left untreated,” he said, urging other states to adopt similar models.
Dr. Jeyaraj Pandian, President of the World Stroke Organization, provided a global perspective, emphasising the importance of timely interventions like thrombectomy and dedicated stroke units. He outlined the National Stroke Action Plan’s objectives, including creating stroke units in district hospitals, training physicians, and scaling up rehabilitation facilities to reduce the incidence and disability caused by strokes by 2030.
Dr. Anil Bonde, IMPF Chairperson and Member of Parliament, delivered a compelling address emphasising the need for collective action against stroke. “Stroke is not just a disease; it is a silent epidemic that threatens our social and economic fabric, causing untold suffering to individuals and families,” he said. Dr. Bonde highlighted the role of policymakers in advocating large-scale awareness campaigns, promoting healthy lifestyles, and ensuring accessible stroke care through public-private partnerships and telemedicine. He underscored the importance of capacity building, research, and affordable rehabilitation services. Calling stroke care a national priority, Dr. Bonde urged all stakeholders to collaborate on creating a future where every Indian has access to timely, quality stroke care.
Industry’s Role in Stroke Care Industry leaders also pledged their support. Mr. Mandeep Singh Kumar, Vice President and Managing Director of Medtronic India, highlighted systemic challenges and called for unified efforts to deliver equitable care nationwide. “Collaborative initiatives like the PRAAN stroke registry and innovative care models will significantly enhance patient outcomes,” he said.
Dr. Harsh Mahajan, FICCI Health Services Committee Chair, noted that the summit provides a unique platform to explore shared knowledge, innovation, and partnerships. “Together, we can build a healthcare system that is accessible and effective for all,” he added.
A Roadmap for the Future One of the summit’s key outcomes was the release of the Stroke Action Plan and findings from PRAAN, India’s first multicentric prospective registry on mechanical thrombectomy. These initiatives aim to bridge the gaps in stroke care, from awareness and prevention to treatment and rehabilitation. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) were highlighted as a crucial mechanism to improve access to stroke care and enhance the quality of services.
The summit also underscored the economic value of stroke prevention and treatment. With the government’s inclusion of stroke care packages under the Ayushman Bharat Universal Health Coverage scheme, there is a clear push toward making stroke care more affordable and accessible. However, challenges like delayed treatment due to low awareness and limited infrastructure remain significant hurdles.
Call to Action Dr. Anil Bonde reiterated the importance of forums like the National Stroke Summit. “The Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Health for All by 2047’ aligns perfectly with the goals of this summit. With more investments in healthcare, we can make this vision a reality,” he said.
As the summit concluded, it became clear that addressing the stroke epidemic in India would require a multi-pronged approach involving the government, healthcare professionals, industry leaders, and civil society. The discussions and recommendations from the summit aim to create a robust framework for stroke management, ultimately saving countless lives and reducing the economic and social burden of this devastating condition.
