Speakers stressed on raising awareness about specialized treatment of stroke and undertaking preventive measures for its recovery.
They came up with the remarks at a roundtable discussion on "Stroke: Mass awareness and immediate treatment", jointly organized by Bangladesh Post and Impulse hospital at the hospital premises on Saturday.
In his presentation, Associate Professor of Neuro-Medicine Department of Banghabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Dr Shahidullah said: "Stroke is the most common cause of adult disability, and the second highest cause of death worldwide. But stroke is treatable."
The aim of stroke treatment is to reduce brain damage, prevent complications, and reduce the onset of disability and recurrence of stroke, he added.
Dr Shahidullah, who is also a senior consultant in neurology and head of stroke at the Impulse Hospital further said that a stroke should ideally be treated in a specialized stroke centre because it increases the chances of a proper recovery up to 14%, according to one study.
He advised clog-bursting drugs, which has been marketed in Bangladesh since of this year, to be administered to patients arriving in hospitals within hours of suffering a stroke.
"It increases the chances of a good outcome by 30%," Dr Shahidullah said.
He also urged for the establishment of stroke centres in every distinguished area of the country, and increasing the number of doctors.
"Ambulance crews should be properly trained on how to treat a patient immediately after a stroke," he added. "Stroke services should be incorporated in the emergency services 999."
He also focused on mass awareness regarding misconceptions surrounding cardiac arrests and strokes.
Former Vice-Chancellor of BSMMU Prof Anisul Haque stressed that prevention is the best way to fight a stroke.
Focusing on the preventive side of the stroke, Principal Information Officer of Press Information Department (PID) Begum Kamrun Nahar said the department should introduce campaigns creating awareness about the preventive measures for stroke.
"We have a large network across the country to help raise awareness," said Kamrun Nahar. "We need to build good coordination, with active participation from the stakeholders in government and different organizations."
Director General of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Abul Kalam Azad said: "Stroke is the top cause of death in Bangladesh and 60% for non-communicable diseases. We have very little knowledge about stroke. Awareness to the masses must be increased. "
Managing Director of Impulse Hospital Prof Dr Zaheer Al-Amin delivered the welcome speech while Editor-in-Chief of Bangladesh Post Sharif Shahab Uddin chaired the session.
