Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur hosts panel discussion on ‘Brain Stroke’ to raise awareness on India’s rising stroke burden
Jaipur, November 18th, 2025: Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur organized a panel discussion on Brain Stroke at Hotel Hilton, Hawa Sadak, Jaipur, to address the alarming rise in stroke cases across India and highlight the importance of early recognition, prevention and timely treatment.
The event brought together leading neurologists and neurosurgeons under the patronage of Dr. Hemant Bhartiya, Senior Director & HOD – Neurosurgery, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur. The distinguished panelists included Dr. Neetu Ramrakhiani, Director – Neurology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur; Dr. Vikas Gupta, Additional Director – Neurology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur; Dr. Vivek Vaid, Director – Neurosurgery, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur; Dr. Sankalp Bhartiya, Senior Consultant – Neurosurgery, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur; Dr. Shifali Prabhaker, Associate Consultant – Neurology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur; Dr. Akshay Mangal, Associate Consultant – Neurosurgery, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur; and Dr. Sharad Sharma, Additional Director – Pediatric Neurology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur.
With 119 to 145 cases per 100,000 population annually, stroke remains one of the leading causes of mortality and long-term disability in the country. The discussion highlighted that India recorded over 1.25 million new stroke cases in 2021, nearly double the number in 1990, reflecting a 51% increase in incidence. Experts noted that lifestyle-related risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and sedentary habits are major contributors, with a worrying trend of strokes occurring at a younger age, often below 50 years.
Dr. Neetu Ramrakhiani, Director, Neurology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur, added, “The younger onset of stroke in India is deeply concerning. We are seeing more patients in their 30s and 40s presenting with neurological deficits that could have been prevented with better lifestyle management. Awareness about early symptoms, facial drooping, slurred speech, or limb weakness, can save lives.”
Dr. Vikas Gupta, Additional Director – Neurology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur, said, “Hypertension remains the single most important modifiable risk factor for stroke. Public education, regular health checks, and timely medical care can reduce the incidence significantly. At Fortis Jaipur, we are committed to creating awareness through community programs and medical camps.”
Dr. Hemant Bhartiya, Senior Director & HOD, Neurosurgery, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur, said, “The rising stroke numbers in India are a wake-up call. Stroke symptoms are often overlooked or misread, causing dangerous delays in care. It is important for people to understand that timely medical attention is not limited to medicines alone, in many cases, urgent surgical or neuro-interventional procedures are crucial to restore blood flow, prevent brain damage, and improve long-term outcomes. With greater awareness and quicker action, we can significantly reduce the risk of death or permanent disability.”
Dr. Vivek Vaid, Director, Neurosurgery, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur, emphasized, “The gap between stroke onset and treatment often determines whether a patient recovers fully or faces lifelong disability. Today, advanced surgical options, clot-retrieval techniques, and cutting-edge neuro-interventional procedures have significantly improved outcomes, but their success depends entirely on how quickly the patient reaches a stroke-ready hospital. The ‘golden hour’ remains critical, and timely intervention can truly save both life and function.”
The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where participants discussed new frontiers in stroke management, rehabilitation, and preventive neurology. The event underscored the need for collective awareness, early action, and lifestyle modification to combat India’s growing stroke crisis.