In a significant step towards advancing neurological care, Marengo Asia Hospitals Gurugram is proud to announce the commencement of a comprehensive treatment for Stroke complemented by a state-of-the-art 5G-enabled ambulance. This first-of-its-kind initiative underscores the hospital’s commitment to providing timely and effective stroke care to the community. Dr Himanshu Champaneri, Sr Consultant, Neurosurgery, Dr Kapil Aggrawal, Clinical Director – Neurology, Dr Krishan Kumar Jain, Stroke Interventionist, and Dr Saurabh Lall, President & Facility Director, Marengo Asia Hospitals Gurugram.

Marengo Asia Hospitals Gurugram advocates an early understanding of stroke symptoms, and the quick and appropriate steps to be taken to reach the patient to a healthcare provider. To enable this in the shortest time, the hospital has become a pioneer in introducing the dedicated 5G ambulance to address strokes. The Smart ambulance is equipped with features that offer 24/7 continuous monitoring, Wi-Fi6 for higher data transfer speed, robust engine accurate alerts, and exceptional data connectivity based on high-range signals. These provide innovative solutions integrating the ambulance and the medical team inside the hospital facilitating collaborative assistance during transit to help not miss the ‘Golden Hour’.

Marengo Asia Hospitals Gurugram is fully equipped with a Stroke ICU, a Stroke Rehabilitation unit, a team of neuro-physicians, a radiologist, a stroke therapist, a physiotherapist, a neuro-interventionist, and a stroke interventionist. The team functions on availability of 24/7 and medical intervention is accessible to patients throughout the day and night. In addition to the clinical benefits, the stroke program is expected to strengthen community engagement by providing accessible and responsive stroke care. Marengo Asia Hospitals Gurugram is dedicated to raising awareness about stroke prevention and the importance of early intervention.

The stroke team is poised to expand the services to identify, assess, and evaluate patients who are probable for stroke. The team will conduct a screening process to assess and evaluate patients who come with conditions such as family history, hypertensive patients, heavy smokers, carry a genetic predisposition, are diabetic, and are obese.

Dr Kapil Aggrawal, Clinical Director, Department of Neurology, Marengo Asia Hospitals Gurugram says, “The Stroke Program at Marengo Asia Hospital Gurugram is designed to offer a multidisciplinary approach to stroke management, ensuring patients receive the highest standard of care from the moment symptoms appear through to rehabilitation. The program includes providing seamless connectivity for video consultations with specialists, ensuring precise and timely medical advice, and allowing for immediate assessment and preparation.”

Dr Himanshu Champaneri, Sr Consultant, Neurosurgery, Marengo Asia Hospitals Gurugram says, “The expansion of our Stroke Program, and the introduction of the 5G-enabled ambulance, marks a significant advancement in stroke care. Time is critical in stroke treatment, and these innovations will greatly enhance our ability to provide swift and effective care, ultimately saving lives and improving recovery outcomes. The 5G technology in the ambulance will be utilized to enhance patient treatment, allowing doctors to assess the patient’s condition via video conferencing and plan the treatment approach before the patient arrives at the hospital.”

Dr K K Jain, Stroke Interventionist, Marengo Asia Hospitals Gurugram says, “The Stroke Program’s expansion brings significant clinical advantages, with the 5G-enabled ambulance enhancing community engagement by delivering accessible and responsive stroke care. Marengo Asia Hospitals Gurugram is committed to promoting stroke prevention awareness and the importance of early intervention. The 5G ambulance embodies our ‘Patient First’ motto, aiming to save lives and prevent disabilities caused by stroke.”

Dr Saurabh Lall, Vice President & Facility, Marengo Asia Hospitals Gurugram says, “It gives us immense pleasure to launch our 5G-enabled ambulance, a game-changer in stroke care. This advanced technology allows our medical teams to diagnose and treat strokes faster than ever before, significantly improving patient outcomes. By integrating real-time data transmission and telemedicine capabilities, we are setting a new standard in emergency care and reaffirming our commitment to delivering the highest quality of healthcare at Marengo Asia Hospitals Gurugram.”

Stroke is a significant global health problem and a major cause of mortality and morbidity in developed countries and increasingly in low-middle-income countries. The burden of stroke is increasing in India and is now the fourth leading cause of death and the fifth leading cause of disability. Previous research suggests that the incidence of stroke in India ranges between 105 and 152/100,000 people per year. Our review showed that the crude stroke prevalence in different parts of India ranged from 44.29 to 559/ 100,000 persons during the past two decades. The cumulative incidence of stroke in India ranged from 105 to 152/100,000 persons per year during the past two decades in different parts of the country.