The Indian Stroke Association has proposed a comprehensive national framework to improve stroke outcomes by integrating stroke response with the National Emergency Number 112, enabling GPS-based ambulance routing, mapping certified stroke centers and expanding green corridors beyond organ transplants to ensure faster, life-saving care for neurological emergencies
In the wake of the recent IPL head injury incident, where a green corridor enabled rapid hospital transport, the Indian Stroke Association (ISA) has strongly advocated for a nationwide system of green corridors for stroke, head injury and trauma patients, emphasizing that timely intervention is critical to saving brain function and lives.
Dr. Vikram Huded, President, Indian Stroke Association (ISA), highlighted the urgent need for system-level reforms in emergency stroke care across India. Strengthening emergency response systems is now more important than ever, as delays in reaching the right hospital continue to be one of the biggest barriers to effective stroke care across the country.
“Every minute of delay in stroke leads to irreversible loss of brain cells. Unlike other organs, the brain cannot be transplanted. The rapid response seen during the IPL incident demonstrates what is possible when systems are aligned. We must extend this same level of urgency to every citizen suffering from stroke or head injury. The Indian Stroke Association has proposed a comprehensive national framework to improve stroke outcomes. This includes integration with the National Emergency Number 112, embedding stroke identification protocols within the emergency response system, and ensuring immediate activation of stroke pathways upon receiving a call. We also recommend GPS-enabled ambulance routing and smart systems that transport patients to the nearest certified stroke-ready hospital, with a focus on reaching the right hospital, not just the closest one. In addition, there is a need for national mapping of stroke centers and government-supported integration of these centers into digital platforms for real-time accessibility by emergency services. Expanding green corridors beyond organ transplants to include neurological emergencies such as acute stroke, severe head injury, and trauma can further help save critical time and lives,” said Dr. Vikram Huded, President, Indian Stroke Association (ISA).
Dr. Huded further added, “India has the expertise and infrastructure to transform stroke care. What we need now is system integration and policy support. With the right emergency response framework, we can significantly reduce disability and save lives.”
“Stroke care in India is at a defining moment, where progress in medical science must be matched by faster and more efficient access to care. While we have advanced technology and skilled specialists, many patients still miss the critical treatment window due to delays in recognition and transport. Improving public awareness about early symptoms and strengthening emergency response systems can make a significant difference in outcomes. Timely intervention not only saves lives but also reduces long-term disability and improves quality of life. Communities, healthcare providers, and emergency services must work together in a coordinated manner. Every minute counts, and acting quickly can truly make the difference between recovery and lifelong impact,” said Dr. Arvind Sharma, Secretary, Indian Stroke Association (ISA).
The Indian Stroke Association urges policymakers, healthcare leaders, and emergency response authorities to collaborate in implementing these recommendations and ensuring that “No brain is lost due to delay.” ISA has also launched the ‘Save the Brain’ initiative, a nationwide campaign aimed at increasing public awareness that stroke is preventable and treatable, promoting early recognition using BEFAST symptoms – Balance difficulty, Eye vision changes, Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to act, encouraging routine screening of risk factors, especially hypertension, and training physicians and healthcare systems across India. The year 2027 marks 100 years of cerebral angiography, pioneered by Egas Moniz. ISA plans to leverage this milestone to conduct nationwide CMEs, strengthen stroke systems of care, and build large-scale public awareness.
