Dear Members of the Indian Stroke Association and Colleagues in Neurosciences,

Save the Brain: A National Movement to Transform Stroke Care in India

Stroke is preventable. Stroke is treatable. Through awareness, science, and collective action, we can save millions of brains and lives across India.

Warm greetings to all.

It is a great honour and privilege to assume the responsibility of serving as the President of the Indian Stroke Association. I sincerely thank each one of you for the trust and confidence placed in me. I also take this opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the remarkable work done by our past presidents and leaders who have built a strong and vibrant organization dedicated to improving stroke care in India.

Stroke continues to be one of the leading causes of death and disability in our country. Yet, the encouraging reality is that stroke is both preventable and treatable when recognized early and managed appropriately. Every day, as clinicians and neuroscientists, we witness how timely recognition and intervention can change the course of a patient’s life — saving not only the brain, but also the dignity, independence, and future of families.

Despite remarkable scientific advances, the challenge before us in India remains substantial. According to recent data from ICMR studies, intravenous thrombolysis is delivered in less than 5% of stroke patients, and mechanical thrombectomy in less than 1%. In contrast, nearby developed countries such as Singapore have treatment rates approaching 30%. These numbers remind us that the science already exists — our responsibility now is to ensure that this science reaches every patient who needs it.

With this perspective, the focus during my tenure will be on awareness, education, collaboration, and action to strengthen stroke care across India.

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Save the Brain – A National Awareness Initiative

One of the central initiatives during this year will be “Save the Brain.”

The message is simple, clear, and powerful:

Stroke is preventable. Stroke is treatable.

Through this national initiative, we aim to improve awareness among the general public as well as physicians who may not yet fully recognize the urgency of stroke care. Public education, physician engagement, and collaborative efforts across healthcare systems will be key components of this initiative. By spreading the message that “Time is Brain,” we hope to ensure that more patients reach hospitals in time to receive life-saving treatments.

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Centenary Celebration of Cerebral Angiogram– A tribute to Dr Egas Moniz

The coming year also marks the centenary of cerebral angiography, first performed in 1927 by the visionary neurologist Egas Moniz. This landmark discovery transformed our understanding of the cerebral circulation and laid the foundation for modern neurovascular imaging and intervention.

To commemorate this historic milestone in neuroscience, the Indian Stroke Association plans to organize 100 Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs across India. These programs will strengthen academic exchange, encourage multidisciplinary collaboration, and inspire the next generation of neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, stroke specialists and Neurointerventionist.

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Working Together for the Future

India stands at an important moment in its history as we move toward becoming a developed nation by 2047. Strengthening healthcare systems and reducing the burden of diseases such as stroke will be essential in achieving this vision.

The Indian Stroke Association will continue to work toward improving stroke prevention, public awareness, timely treatment, and rehabilitation across the country. However, this mission cannot be achieved by individuals alone. It requires the collective strength, wisdom, and commitment of the entire neuroscience community.

I warmly invite all ISA members, neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, Neurointerventionist, physicians, nurses, emergency teams, and allied healthcare professionals to join hands in this mission. Together, we can build stronger stroke systems of care, empower young clinicians, and ensure that scientific advances translate into better outcomes for patients across India.

Stroke is preventable. Stroke is treatable. Together, let us Save the Brain and Save Lives.

Stroke care in India is at an important turning point. With the collective strength of our members, the dedication of our neuroscience community, and the support of policymakers and the public, we have the opportunity to transform the future of stroke care in our country. Let us work together with a shared purpose—to prevent stroke whenever possible and to ensure that every patient in India has access to timely and effective treatment. Together, we can truly Save the Brain and Save Lives.

Warm regards,

Dr. Vikram Huded,
MD General Medicine, DM neurology, Fellowship in Neurointervention
Sr Consultant Interventional Neurologist,
Director of Intervention Neurology Programme of NH Group
President
Indian Stroke Association