Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers Jagat Prakash Nadda highlighted stroke as a major public health challenge while addressing the 3rd edition of FICCI’s National Stroke Summit 2026 virtually. He noted that stroke affects individuals, families, and communities suddenly and often without warning. Therefore, timely diagnosis, quick referral, and access to quality treatment remain critical to saving lives and preventing long-term disability.
Strengthening Healthcare Through National Initiatives
Mr Nadda stated that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the government continues to focus on building accessible, affordable, technology-enabled, and future-ready healthcare systems. He highlighted that key initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) are strengthening healthcare delivery across the country.
In addition, these initiatives are expanding digital health interventions and critical care capacity, which play a vital role in improving the management of conditions such as stroke.
Technology and Collaboration Essential for Better Stroke Care
Mr Nadda further emphasised that technology, digital health systems, and data platforms will play a central role in improving healthcare outcomes. However, he stressed that technological advancements alone are not sufficient.
“There is a need for coordination, commitment, and collective action. I urge all stakeholders to work together to strengthen stroke management at the state level, expand specialist training and capacity, and leverage digital platforms for faster and better care,” he said.
Government Expanding Emergency and Critical Care Infrastructure
Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and MoS (Independent Charge), AYUSH, highlighted ongoing government efforts to strengthen the healthcare system and ensure timely treatment for patients.
He noted that the government is supporting states in promoting the 112 ambulance emergency number, building critical care blocks and super-speciality facilities under the National Health Mission (NHM), and deploying mobile medical units in rural and remote regions to improve healthcare access.
Hub-and-Spoke Model to Improve Stroke Management
Mr Jadhav also underscored the importance of adopting the Hub-and-Spoke model for effective stroke management. Under this model, regional spoke centres can identify patients early and provide initial stabilisation, while hub hospitals equipped with super-speciality facilities deliver advanced treatment and critical care.
He emphasised that the success of this model depends on strong coordination among healthcare providers, state authorities, and other stakeholders. Furthermore, he noted that stroke treatment is already covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, and effective implementation by states will be crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Digital Health Systems to Enable Integrated Care
Dr Sunil K. Barnwal, CEO, National Health Authority, highlighted the role of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission in building a connected healthcare ecosystem. According to him, the initiative enables the development of an integrated and intelligent healthcare system.
“We must move from a fragmented healthcare system to an integrated one. It is not only about advanced equipment or technology but also about maintaining comprehensive patient health histories and records,” he explained.
Need to Expand Stroke Awareness Across the Country
As per the press release, Dr Anil Bonde, Member of Parliament and Chairperson, IMPF, stressed the importance of raising awareness about stroke, particularly in rural areas. He noted that stroke treatment is already covered under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, and its scope has expanded over the years to include a broader range of treatment services.
Stroke Remains a Major Cause of Mortality in India
Highlighting the scale of the challenge, Harsh Mahajan, Mentor, FICCI Health Sector and Founder & Chairman, Mahajan Imaging & Labs, said that stroke continues to be a leading cause of death and long-term disability in India.
India reports over 18 lakh new stroke cases annually, and the condition accounts for approximately 10 percent of all deaths in the country. However, he pointed out that many cases are preventable and outcomes can improve significantly through early recognition and timely medical intervention.
He also noted that the summit’s theme, “Stroke Pe Rok,” emphasises the need for stronger focus on prevention, awareness, and early action.
Experts Call for Greater Awareness and Preparedness
During the summit, Dr Prashant Mathur, Director, ICMR Bengaluru, and Mandeep Singh Kumar, Member, FICCI Medical Device Committee and Vice President & Managing Director, India Medtronic, also stressed the need to increase public awareness about stroke and strengthen preparedness across healthcare systems.
Summit Unveils Stroke Action Plan
The summit concluded with the unveiling of a comprehensive Stroke Action Plan, designed as an implementation-ready roadmap to strengthen stroke prevention and management across the country. Additionally, organisers released details of stroke-ready centres with thrombectomy capabilities and showcased partnerships aimed at improving access to advanced stroke treatment in India.