State govt mulls providing free treatment of Rs 6L in stroke cases

The Punjab government launched a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership in India aimed at combating the rising cases of stroke in the state by creating a streamlined stroke care pathway for timely and effective treatment.

A transformative collaboration has been undertaken between the state government, Christian Medical College (CMC), Ludhiana, and India Medtronic Private Limited, said Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh.

He said Punjab had become the first state in the country to provide free mechanical thrombectomy to stroke patients and the government was making efforts to provide free tertiary care treatment of Rs 6 lakh to such patients.

The collaboration was aimed at improving access to critical care, reduce stroke-related deaths and disabilities and setting a new standard for stroke management in India, added Dr Balbir.

The CMC, having India’s first advanced stroke centre certified by the World Stroke Organisation and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers, will serve as the central “hub” for advanced stroke treatment while government hospitals and medical colleges across the state will act as “spokes”.