Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane has emphasized the importance of the Goa Stroke Programme, launched in January 2023, as a vital initiative aimed at providing urgent care to those experiencing stroke symptoms. This program, a collaboration between the Directorate of Health Services and the Department of Neurology at Goa Medical College & Hospital, ensures that every Goan can access timely and expert medical attention during a stroke emergency.

The program includes critical features such as CT scan facilities available at both the Goa Medical College and district hospitals, enabling rapid diagnosis and treatment. Patients showing warning signs of a stroke are swiftly transported by the dedicated 108 ambulance services directly to these medical facilities. If diagnosed with an ischemic stroke, patients can receive the clot-busting drug Tenecteplase within a crucial four-and-a-half-hour window at no cost.

The initiative is particularly important in light of the global statistics on stroke, which remains a leading cause of death and disability. With one in four individuals at risk of experiencing a stroke in their lifetime, the Goa government is committed to raising awareness and improving treatment options for this condition.