Daily Times

Chief Minister Justice (r) Maqbool Baqar highlighted the urgent need for improvements in stroke care and the establishment of acute stroke centers in Pakistan’s second-largest province. Speaking at the virtual inauguration of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases’ (NICVD) ‘Stroke Intervention Programme’ in Tando Muhammad Khan, the chief minister emphasized the significance of addressing the increasing incidence of strokes and the lack of infrastructure in both urban and rural areas.

With an estimated population of 225 million and a median age of 22.5 years, Pakistan faces the challenge of catering to a large population experiencing a rising number of strokes. Chief Minister Baqar stressed that immediate attention is required to tackle this issue. During the ceremony, Baqar addressed the attendees through a video link, stating, “There is a high proportion of young stroke cases with poor outcomes. Acute stroke care is scarce in Pakistan due to a limited number of stroke units and the limited availability of alteplase (clot buster treatment) and thrombectomy services in the country.”

The chief minister further highlighted the substantial burden of strokes in Pakistan, coupled with the limited facilities available for stroke care. He commended the NICVD for its efforts, recalling that in 2021, the hospital took the initiative to provide comprehensive stroke services, including clot buster treatment and advanced clot removal (thrombectomy) procedures. Baqar emphasized that over the past two years, the NICVD has successfully treated over 4,000 stroke patients, delivering essential acute stroke care services.

Revealing future plans, the caretaker CM shared that the NICVD has trained eight cardiologists to perform clot removal procedures and is now taking steps to extend stroke services to the SICVD Tando Muhammad Khan and SICVD Sukkur, thus expanding the reach of these vital services throughout Sindh. The establishment of stroke services in these regions will bring much-needed relief to stroke patients and contribute to the overall improvement of stroke care in the province.

In conclusion, Chief Minister Baqar’s virtual inauguration of the NICVD’s ‘Stroke Intervention Programme’ in Tando Muhammad Khan underscored the pressing need for enhanced stroke care facilities and acute stroke centers in Pakistan. Through the NICVD’s dedicated efforts and training initiatives, significant strides have been made in the provision of acute stroke care services. The expansion of stroke services to additional regions in Sindh reflects the government’s commitment to addressing the growing burden of strokes and ensuring better healthcare outcomes for the people of Pakistan.