Transformation of stroke care

Planetary Health Academia (PHA) is a medical education platform established in July 2020 by a group of non resident Bangladeshi physicians aiming to exchange views, reduce knowledge gap and provide training to junior physicians in collaboration with local expertise.  They have over 150 faculty members from USA, UK, Sweden, Canada, UAE, Australia, New Zealand etc. and covers over 20 different subspecialties.

The organised a conference recently. The main theme of the conference were 'Transformation of stroke care in Bangladesh', 'Rapid response stroke care (Management of Hyper acute stroke and further prevention)' and 'Time is brain & door to needle approach: Saving lives and prevent disabilities' which were hosted by Planetary Health Academia (PHA) in Sylhet.

The day-long scientific events brought together nearly 150 eminent professionals in the field of neurology and covered by three panel sessions accommodating sixteen (16) panel of experts and sixteen (16) speakers from home and abroad.

There is a huge burden of stroke patients in Bangladesh. The incidence of stroke is rising rapidly, especially in the developing nations. The events also highlighted the main challenges - developing an integrated treatment pathways for the best outcomes of the patients.

The special guest of this conference Professor Dr Quazi Deen Mohammad picturised "Stroke is one of the top most cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The impact of stroke in Bangladesh are tremendous and is devastating. To know up-to-date treatment is of crucial importance so that morbidity can be reduced."

 Holistic care of the patient with stroke begins in the prehospital settings, with quick recognition of potential stroke symptoms, activation of emergency systems, as needed, with rapid transportation of the patient to an appropriate emergency department in our settings.

The conference secretary and faculty lead (Haematology) of Planetary Health Academia Dr Amin Islam believes this conference will bridge between the developing and developed world to create modern stroke care and pathways.