Mohali, January 29
Can a simple Namaste help save lives in the case of an acute stroke? A new technique definitely can. Fortis Hospital, Mohali has launched a groundbreaking initiative to spread awareness about early stroke detection using this traditional greeting.
Explaining the technique, Dr. Shriram Varadharajan, an eminent neurologist, said, “A simple Namaste can save lives during an acute stroke. By performing a Namaste, individuals can quickly check for key stroke symptoms. Joining hands can help detect arm weakness or drift, standing straight with a smile can reveal facial droop or asymmetry, and saying ‘Namaste’ aloud can highlight slurred speech. Additionally, closing your eyes can test for vestibular or sensory issues.”
Dr. Varadharajan highlighted that current pre-hospital stroke assessment scales focus on facial droop, arm drift, grip weakness, and slurring of speech – all of which can be tested simultaneously through the traditional Namaste. He added, “If someone is alone, self-assessment can be done in front of a mirror. Closing one’s eyes while performing the Namaste can also help detect sensory or balance abnormalities, which may indicate posterior circulation strokes.”
Breaking it down further, Dr. Varadharajan explained, “The Namaste posture involves flexion with abduction at the shoulder, flexion at the elbows, and wrist extension with palms pressed together. This position can reveal arm drift and grip weakness. Smiling and saying ‘Namaste’ aloud helps detect facial asymmetry and slurred speech. The simplicity of this technique makes it adaptable, with regional greetings like ‘Vanakkam’ in Tamil serving as effective alternatives.”
Fortis Hospital Mohali envisions this technique as a simple, accessible prehospital screening method to promote early stroke detection. Dr. Varadharajan stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns to educate people on stroke symptoms, emphasizing that timely detection and intervention within the narrow treatment window can be lifesaving.
“Stroke is a growing national epidemic,” Dr. Varadharajan said. “The first step to combating it is raising awareness and empowering people with tools like this to act swiftly.”
Fortis Hospital Mohali’s innovative initiative underscores the power of blending tradition with medical science to improve health outcomes on a large scale. Ashish Bhatia, Executive Vice President, Fortis Healthcare; Abhijit Singh, Head-SBU, Fortis Hospital Mohali; Dr Vivek Gupta, Additional Director of Interventional Neuroradiology, Fortis Hospital Mohali; Dr HS Mann, Director, Department of Neurology, Fortis Hospital Mohali; Dr Sudesh Prabhakar, Director, Neurology; Dr Nishit Sawal, Consultant – Neurology and the entire team of neurology and neuro sciences were also present on the occasion.
About Fortis Healthcare
Fortis Healthcare Limited – an IHH Healthcare Berhad Company – is a leading integrated healthcare services provider in India. It is one of the largest healthcare organizations in the country with 27 healthcare facilities (including projects under development), 4100 operational beds and over 419 diagnostics centres (including JVs). Fortis is present in India, United Arab Emirates (UAE) & Sri Lanka. The Company is listed on the BSE Ltd and National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India. It draws strength from its partnership with global major and parent company, IHH, to build upon its culture of world-class patient care and superlative clinical excellence. Fortis employs 23,000 people (including SRL) who share its vision of becoming the world’s most trusted healthcare network. Fortis offers a full spectrum of integrated healthcare services ranging from clinics to quaternary care facilities and a wide range of ancillary services.
