Educate community on stroke symptoms: Dr.M.A.Aleem

Educate community on stroke symptoms: experts

Staff Reporter

Maternity mortality ratio high in Tiruchi: Collector Maternity mortality rate high in Tiruchi: Collector

TIRUCHI: With incidence of stroke showing an alarming rise in the country, it is imperative to increase awareness among public, policy makers and health professionals about the causes and symptoms of this major public health burden in the present juncture by making use of the mass media, medical experts emphasised at a function organised on the occasion of World Stroke Day here today.

Stroke is largely preventable and public should avoid any misconception about this disease, it was pointed out during the programme.

A booklet on `Stroke' written in Tamil by Neurologist Dr. M.A. Aleem, Assistant Professor of Neurology, K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College Hospital, Tiruchi was released by the Collector, K. Nanda Kishore, on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Aleem said about 1,800 people die of stroke every day in our country. Worldwide stroke now ranked second to ischemic heart disease as a cause of death and was a leading cause of serious disability.

Stroke cases occupied 2 per cent of the total hospital admission. It is around 5 per cent of medical admission and on neurological side admission it was about 20 per cent.

A hospital-based research study at the Government Hospital here on epidimiology of stroke among rural population in the district revealed that 26 out of one lakh population were afflicted with the disease per year.

Aging, inactivity, smoking and fast foods fuel a growing epidemic of stroke, heart diseases, diabetes and vascular cognitive impairment. If nothing was done, the predicted number of people who would have to suffer a stroke would double by 2020, he said.

Mr. Nanda Kishore, in his address, said that despite being a progressive district, Tiruchi was having the highest maternity mortality ratio.

Dr. P. Gnanasekaran, Professor and Head of Department, Department of Medicine, Annal Gandhi Government Hospital, Tiruchi, said sedentary way of life, hypertension and obesity led to stroke.

Prof. Dr. S.J. Nehru, Dean (in-charge) K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College, Tiruchi spoke on the occasion.

  


Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 27, 2005