CARE Hospitals, Hitech City, Organises Walkathon and Stroke Awareness Programme on World Stroke Day
Hyderabad, October 29, 2026: CARE Hospitals, Hitech City, marked World Stroke Day by organising a walkathon at Malkam Cheruvu Park, followed by a stroke awareness talk and survivor interaction at the hospital. The initiative brought together neurologists, healthcare professionals, stroke survivors and community members to highlight the importance of recognising stroke symptoms early and seeking immediate medical attention.
Held under this year’s theme, “Every M1nute Counts,” the programme focused on stroke prevention, timely treatment and growing concerns about stroke among younger adults.
The walkathon was attended by Dr. Shyam K. Jaiswal, Senior Consultant Neurologist; Dr. Khailas Mirche, Senior Neurologist; Dr. Arun Reddy M, Senior Consultant – Neurosurgeon and Endoscopic Spine Surgeon; Dr. Haritha Koganti, Consultant – Neurology; and Dr. Pramod Gupta, Hospital Chief Operating Officer (HCOO), CARE Hospitals, Hitech City, along with senior doctors, hospital staff and members of the Walkers Club.
The awareness session featured discussions on stroke symptoms, risk factors, prevention and treatment. Stroke survivors shared their recovery journeys, highlighting the challenges of rehabilitation, regaining mobility and returning to daily activities. Their experiences underscored the importance of timely medical intervention and continued support during recovery.
According to the World Stroke Organization, approximately 15% of strokes occur among people aged 15–49. An Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) hospital-based stroke registry has also highlighted delays in reaching hospitals, with only about 20% of patients arriving within 4.5 hours of symptom onset.
Doctors cautioned that stroke symptoms are often mistaken for fatigue, low blood pressure or low blood sugar, resulting in delays in seeking medical care. They advised people not to wait for symptoms to subside or attempt home remedies when stroke is suspected. Giving food or water may also be unsafe if swallowing is affected.
Dr. Shyam K. Jaiswal, Senior Consultant Neurologist, CARE Hospitals, Hitech City, said that delays between the onset of symptoms and reaching a hospital remain a major challenge in stroke care. He emphasised that sudden weakness, difficulty speaking or loss of balance must be treated as a medical emergency. He also noted that identifying the time when symptoms began helps doctors assess suitable treatment options, and urged people to seek emergency care even if several hours have passed.
Dr. Khailas Mirche, Senior Neurologist, CARE Hospitals, Hitech City, highlighted that stroke is not limited to older adults. Uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity and physical inactivity can increase stroke risk among younger people. He cautioned that temporary weakness or speech difficulties could indicate a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), which requires urgent medical evaluation even if the symptoms disappear.
Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Pramod Gupta, HCOO, CARE Hospitals, Hitech City, said awareness plays a crucial role in reducing delays in stroke treatment. He noted that the walkathon and survivor interaction aimed to educate the community about the urgency of seeking medical care and the challenges faced by patients during recovery.
During the programme, doctors explained the BE FAST method to help identify stroke warning signs: Balance problems, Eye or vision changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty and Time to seek emergency medical help.
The doctors also stressed the importance of regularly monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, maintaining a balanced diet, staying physically active and avoiding smoking to reduce stroke risk.
The programme concluded with an appeal to participants to spread awareness about stroke symptoms and prevention among their families and communities, emphasising that recognising the warning signs and seeking immediate medical attention can make a crucial difference in stroke treatment and recovery.
