BHUBANESWAR: The students of Rama Devi Women’s University (RDWU), Bhubaneswar were sensitised to causes, symptoms and effective management of stroke during an awareness programme organized for youth, titled ‘Spot Stroke, Save Lives’.
The program hosted by IFI Foundation, in collaboration with the university, was a part of the 10-day public health outreach campaign which began on World Stroke Day on October 29, 2024.
The valedictory of the programme was organised at the old auditorium of RDWU on November 7, 2024. Co-hosted by the Department of Journalism & Mass Communication of RDWU, the public health education initiative had commerce, philosophy and gender studies departments as partners.
Non-profit organisation IFI Foundation, a member of World Stroke Organisation, in collaboration with Swasthya Plus Network & OdishaLIVE, launched the campaign on prevention and management of stroke.
The program was planned for the second consecutive year by the foundation and RDWU joined it as the academic partner. Apollo Hospitals, Bhubaneswar joined as an associate partner of the public health initiative.
‘Brain stroke, a silent killer’
Describing brain stroke as the ‘silent killer’, Prof. Chandi Charan Rath, Chairperson PG Council, RDWU, appreciated the effort in making the youth aware about it. He advised the students to spread awareness about stroke.
Nilambar Rath, Campaign Chair of IFI Stroke Awareness Initiative & Founder Editor of OdishaLIVE, highlighted the health challenges associated with stroke globally.
“Every youth should know how to identify a stroke so that timely response and interventions can save millions of lives and disabilities,” he said.
‘Young stroke’
“Stroke is no longer limited to old age as many young people are suffering it. Sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy food habits and stress are leading to what the doctors call ‘young stroke’,” said Dr. Subhransu Shekhar Jena, senior neurologist and campaign adviser of the initiative.
The youth should be aware about causes and symptoms of stroke and keep them fit with a healthy lifestyle, he said.
‘A to Z on stroke’
A special audio-visual capsule on ‘A to Z on stroke’ was screened on the occasion. A campaign newsletter carrying the FAQs on brain stroke was also released.
Prof. Aparajita Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor, RDWU, in a message, highlighted the need of such programmes for spreading awareness among the youth. She appreciated the partnership with IFI Foundation.
Prof. Sasmita Mohanty, Director Internal Quality Assurance Cell, RDWU underscored the need for a massive awareness among the people to prevent and manage stroke.
Dr. Ambika Sankar Mishra, HoD Journalism & Mass Communication, RDWU, welcomed the guests, while Pranati Parida, Co-Founder Swasthya Plus Network thanked all partners for making the campaign achieve a wider outreach.
The programme was presented by Sushree Smita Behera of Swasthya Plus Network. All the partners of the campaign were felicitated.
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