Two Neurologists from Apollo Specialty Hospitals, Vanagaram started out on a bike rally to create awareness on the extended time window (24 hours) for Stroke care. The vision of the rally was to create awareness on the importance of TIME in Stroke. Honorable Minister of Rural Industries including cottage and small scale Thiru Mr. P. Benjamin flagged off the rally. Prior to this, Actor Arya extended his support to the team by greeting the riders.

The treatment for stroke is highly dependent on time of presentation of the patient at the hospital. If a patient with Ischemic Stroke is brought to a comprehensive stroke care center within 4.5 hours, the patient can undergo a clot bursting medication (thrombolysis). If there is a demonstrable clot in the Angiogram, and the patient is brought to the centre within 6 hours, then patient is eligible for a procedure called thrombectomy where the clot is mechanically removed. The Stroke window period has now been extended from 6 hours to 24 hours (in selected patients). The awareness about the importance of TIME in the management of stroke is abysmally low in our state of Tamil Nadu.

To take this all important message across to the people, Apollo Specialty Hospitals, Vanagaram, had organized this roadshow across the state with Chennai as the start point and Kanyakumari as the end point covering various districts across Tamil Nadu between 12th to 15th December, 2020.

Two Neurologists Dr. Prabash (MD, DM), Dr. Arunkumar (MD, DM), covered 2000 Kms in 4 days. An ambulance also accompanied the entourage. The Rally involved 40 awareness talks in the districts in locations such as Pondicherry, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Karaikal, Trichy, Madurai, Nagercoil, Marthandam and Kanyakumari in various forums including, Lions clubs, Rotary clubs, Industries, Apollo pharmacies and hospitals.