Kerala to upgrade six stroke units for global accreditation

Thiruvananthapuram: Health Minister Veena George has announced that the Kerala government is taking concrete steps to upgrade six stroke units in government hospitals to meet the accreditation standards of the World Stroke Organisation (WSO) and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH). The first phase of the initiative targets stroke units at General Hospitals in Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, and Kozhikode, along with district hospitals in Kollam and Palakkad. These units are being prepared simultaneously for dual accreditation. Also Read: Thiruvananthapuram Medical College achieves milestone in advanced stroke care Speaking to the Hindu, the Minister said that this was the first time that a single wing of a hospital was being readied for accreditation. The WSO certification is awarded to institutions that uphold international standards in stroke care. These facilities ensure timely access to treatment, provide essential diagnostic and thrombolysis services, and eliminate delays across all stages of patient care. Basic infrastructure, equipment, and training for attaining the accreditation are being taken up by the Health department, reports the Hindu. Experts reiterate that stroke patients must be brought to a designated stroke care centre within 4.5 hours of symptom onset—the critical time window during which thrombolytic treatment can be most effective. While Medical Colleges in Kerala already offer comprehensive stroke care, 12 government hospitals currently have functional stroke units providing thrombolysis, rehabilitation, and stabilization. The Minister stated that all district hospitals in the state will be equipped with stroke care units by the end of the year.