In a groundbreaking development for global healthcare, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially designated the Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) in Ludhiana, India, as the first WHO Collaborating Centre (WHO CC) for stroke. This prestigious recognition marks a significant milestone in the realm of stroke care and underscores the pioneering efforts of CMCH’s advanced stroke centre.
Dr Jeyaraj D Pandian, the principal and professor of Neurology at CMCH and the incoming president of the World Stroke Organisation (WSO), heralded the achievement as a testament to years of dedication and collaborative work. “Our designation as a WHO Collaborating Centre is a culmination of a fruitful partnership with the WHO Southeast Asian Region (WHO SEAR) and WHO Headquarters in Geneva, which began in 2015,” Dr Pandian explained. This collaboration aims to bolster stroke care on a global scale, improving outcomes and accessibility for patients worldwide.
The formal inauguration of this esteemed centre was conducted by Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, who lauded the initiative as a pivotal advancement in healthcare. The WHO team at CMCH, led by Dr Pandian, includes a distinguished group of professionals: Dorcas Gandhi, Ivy Sebastian, Ranjit Injety, Christy, Nistara Chawla, Pranay Pawar, and Rineta Mascarenhas.
The collaboration has been particularly intensive since 2020, when WHO SEAR requested CMCH to develop a manual titled ‘Integrating Stroke Services in Healthcare Systems: A Practical Approach’. This manual aims to standardise stroke care services across various healthcare levels, addressing the urgent need for structured and efficient stroke management.
In addition to its efforts in India, CMCH has extended its impact to several other nations. The centre has been instrumental in devising strategies to enhance stroke care services in Bhutan, the Maldives, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste. Dr Pandian noted that the initiative commenced in Bhutan, where hospitals previously faced challenges due to a lack of standardised stroke care systems. This led to delays in identifying and treating stroke cases, prompting the development of a comprehensive care roadmap.
The WHO SEAR project’s initial phase, launched in August 2020, empowered over 70 participants from diverse medical fields to revolutionise stroke care. This initiative not only improved infrastructure but also raised awareness about stroke and promoted evidence-based care among healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the general public.
In 2023, a significant visit to Bhutan by Queen Mother Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuk allowed for further advancements in stroke care. The visit facilitated the establishment of a detailed roadmap for developing stroke care services in the region. Meanwhile, in the Maldives, over 20 healthcare professionals received specialised training, although the establishment of an online stroke registry faced delays due to political tensions. Myanmar saw a comprehensive appraisal of its stroke care system, identifying key areas for improvement, while Nepal is progressing with a hub-and-spoke model of care centred around Kathmandu. In Sri Lanka, a national stroke guideline was recently released based on the CMCH team’s recommendations.
This remarkable achievement not only highlights CMCH’s role as a global leader in stroke care but also serves as an inspiration for other healthcare institutions worldwide. The designation as a WHO Collaborating Centre underscores the importance of collaborative efforts and innovation in tackling global health challenges.
