Aster MIMS, Medtronic collaborate on accessible stroke care for patients in Kerala – ET HealthWorld

Calicut: Aster MIMS Hospital, Calicut and India Medtronic Private Limited announced their partnership to build a comprehensive programme for stroke patients in Kerala. The programme involves a hub and spoke model wherein, Aster MIMS will build a network of identified hospitals in and around Calicut and provide them with tele consultation support and resources to mobilise stroke patients who are at a critical stage and in urgent need of therapy. As part of the partnership, Medtronic will be providing education and training support to the identified hospitals along with awareness tools and technologies to manage stroke.

Dr Jacob P Alapatt, HoD and Senior Consultant, Neurosurgery, Aster MIMS, Calicut, said “Due to lack of stroke ready centres, most patients do not get these treatments on time. The aim of our partnership with Medtronic is to support patients who may be affected by stroke and are not aware of the symptoms and criticality of the treatment window. Through this hub and spoke model, we want to extend our expertise to more patients in and around Kerala.”

“Although current clinical practice guidelines recommend the use of mechanical thrombectomy for stroke management, patient utilisation remains low in India. The programme is designed to break down barriers to treatment and standardise patient care pathways — to reduce the overall burden of stroke. Through our partnership with Aster MIMS, we aim to increase access to life-saving therapies for more patients in India,” said Madan Krishnan, Vice President & Managing Director, Medtronic India.

As per the hub and spoke model, Aster MIMS will be the centralised hub, connecting other hospitals in different sectors with the help of advanced technologies. If a patient with stroke symptoms visits one of the network hospitals (spokes), their scan and other vitals will be passed on to team of experts at Aster MIMS for further evaluation. The subsequent treatment and medication would be advised accordingly. The condition of the patient will be continuously assessed through telemedicine. There will be 24-hour service of multiple neuro-interventional surgeons for conducting mechanical thrombectomy.

For Medtronic, the partnership with Aster MIMS for holistic stroke management is the first in the series. The aim is to leverage partnerships across India that can help in advancing care to more patients even in smaller towns.

“With the new partnership, Aster MIMS will be able to offer a comprehensive stroke treatment programme for patients in Kerala. We are pleased to be able to offer patients in Kerala and across India such advanced healthcare technologies and therapies,” said Farhan Yasin, Regional Director, Aster Hospitals-Kerala & Oman.