Aster MIMS, Kozhikode (Calicut) has made history in stroke care by becoming India’s first hospital to receive the prestigious Comprehensive Stroke Center accreditation from the American Heart Association (AHA). This recognition brings out the hospital’s commitment in providing rapid diagnosis and advanced treatment for complex stroke cases, supported by a modern stroke care program, advanced infrastructure’s & equipment, a multidisciplinary team of clinical experts, and adherence to internationally recognized protocols.

The accreditation was achieved after a careful evaluation of the hospital’s stroke care program, which includes its advanced diagnostic capabilities, modern treatment methods, and comprehensive post-stroke care. Aster MIMS stands out with its unique and integrated approach to stroke care, starting from the pre-hospital stage through its Response-Rescue-Resuscitation (R-R-R) system. The hospital is also one of the South Asia’s first Emergency Department Biplane Cathlab, enabling quick medical intervention and precise diagnosis during critical moments of stroke treatment.

Mr. Lukman Ponmadath, Chief Operating Officer of Aster MIMS, stated that , “This accreditation reflects the hospital’s excellence in treating even the most complex stroke cases. It also highlights our advanced diagnostic services, modern treatment methods, and comprehensive post-stroke care, ensuring that patients receive the best possible treatment without delay.” He also added that the hospital’s world-class stroke care services and medical expertise have previously been recognized with multiple awards, including the World Stroke Organization’s Angels Awards (9 Diamond, 2 Platinum, and 3 Gold), the IHWS Patient-Centric Hospital in Stroke Care Award, and the Voice of Healthcare’s Stroke Innovation and Excellence Award.

Dr Venugopalan P.P, Head of the Emergency Department stated that, “Through these advanced stroke care infrastructures, we make sure that critical interventions are initiated without any delay which gradually improves patient health and help them to recover faster.”

The R-R-R system allows emergency teams and hospital staff to communicate in real-time, ensuring that patients receive immediate assessment and life-saving interventions even before they reach the hospital. This system is especially critical in reducing delays for treatments like thrombolysis (clot-dissolving therapy) and thrombectomy (mechanical clot removal), which are essential for effective stroke management.

When a patient arrives at the hospital, they are swiftly taken to the Biplane Cathlab, where advanced brain imaging and precise stroke management begin without delay. This process ensures that the time between the patient’s arrival and the start of treatment known as Door-to-Needle Time (DTNT) and Door-to-Groin Time (DTGT)  is kept to an absolute minimum. By cutting down these critical time gaps, not only improves the chances of recovery but also helps patients regain their health faster, giving them a better quality of life after a stroke.

The hospital’s advanced facilities, latest imaging technologies, and a dedicated team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, and critical care specialists plays an important role in achieving this milestone. The press conference announcing the accreditation was attended by key officials, including the COO of Aster MIMS- Mr. Lukman Ponmadath, Head of Neurosurgery -Dr. Jacob Alappat, CMS – Dr. Abraham Mammen, Deputy CMS – Dr. Noufal Basheer, Head of Emergency Medicine – Dr. Venugopalan P.P, Dr. Abdul Rahman, Dr. Rafeeque, and Dr. Paul Alappat.