THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister Veena George said, Rs 4,15,76,000 has been sanctioned for a neuro cath lab as part of setting up a comprehensive stroke center at the Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. The first neuro cath lab in the government sector will be set up at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College.

Cath Lab is equipped with a radiological vascular angiography system including D.S.A. The cat lab will help to remove the blood clot in the brain through a thrombectomy. It helps to see the blood vessels in the brain and removes the clotted blood. The minister said the amount sanctioned would be in addition to Rs 1 crore allotted earlier for the cath lab.

The Stroke Center is being set up next to the new emergency department. The Comprehensive Stroke Centre includes ICU for the treatment of stroke,Cath Lab and CT angiogram. A total of Rs 12.78 crore alloted, it includes 2.25 crore for infrastructure development of Cath Lab, 5.16 crore for Cath Lab, 97 lakh for construction of Neuro ICU and Rs. 4.4 crore for CT angiogram. The new Stroke Center is close to the emergency department so patients can be transferred to the Stroke Center as soon as possible and necesary treatment will be given.

Comprehensive Stroke Centers are being set up in all the medical colleges in the state to provide emergency treatment to the victims of stroke or paralysis. Stroke units have also been set up at district and general hospitals.

Stroke is caused when blood vessels to the brain clogs or ruptures as a result of blood clotting. Symptoms of stroke include sudden numbness or weakness on one side of face or in one arm or leg, sudden loss of balance and slurred speech. Failure to seek immediate treatment can result in permanent loss of mobility and speech. Sometimes it results in death itself. The first few hours are crucial if you had a stroke. Therefore, it is necessary to seek treatment at the nearest Stroke Centre. The new Stroke Centers will be equipped with facilities such as 24 hour CT scans, neurology, neurosurgery and neuro ICUs.