The SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic and challenges in stroke care in India

Abstract

Stroke care in India has evolved rapidly in the last decade with a focus on stroke awareness, prevention, rapid triage, treatment, and rehabilitation. But acute stroke care and poststroke rehabilitation in the country have limitations owing to the economic constraints and poor access to health care. The SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic has made stroke care even more challenging. We outline the unfavorable circumstances in stroke care induced by the pandemic; propose mitigating measures; crisis management; and provide a comparative evaluation of stroke care between India and the United States during the pandemic. There is a need for public health systems in both developed and developing countries to improve awareness, implement proper strategies of triage, acute treatment, well-defined rehabilitation plans, telemedicine services, and virtual check-ins.

Keywords: COVID-19; India; SARS-CoV-2; United States; management; pandemic; public health; stroke; telemedicine.

Figure 1

(A) Map of India showing the location of apex medical centers where the questionnaire‐based survey was conducted (Map of India adapted from Bhuvan, ISRO). (B) Graph representing the percentage reduction of total reporting of stroke cases post‐COVID‐19, along with percentage reduction in IV thrombolysis and thrombectomies in apex medical centers across India.