With Dr. Vikram Huded elected as the President of the Indian Stroke Association (ISA), the aims will be to shift towards strengthening awareness, improving timely access to treatment, and building a more coordinated stroke care system across the country.

Dr. Huded, a leading interventional neurologist and Director and Clinical Lead for the Interventional Neurology Program at Narayana Health, also serves as Head of Neurology and Senior Consultant in Interventional Neurology. With extensive experience in advanced stroke care and neuro-interventions, he has played a key role in strengthening neuroscience services across India.

Sharing his vision after taking on this new role, Dr. Vikram Huded, President, Indian Stroke Association (ISA), said, "It is a great honour and privilege to assume the responsibility of serving as the President of the Indian Stroke Association. Stroke continues to be one of the leading causes of death and disability in our country. Yet, the encouraging reality is that stroke is both preventable and treatable when recognized early and managed appropriately. Timely recognition and intervention can change the course of a patient's life, saving not only the brain but also the dignity, independence, and future of families.

Dr. Vikram Huded further added, "Despite remarkable scientific advances, the challenge before us in India remains substantial. According to recent data from ICMR studies, intravenous thrombolysis is delivered in less than 5% of stroke patients, and mechanical thrombectomy in less than 1%. In contrast, nearby developed countries such as Singapore have treatment rates approaching 30%. These numbers remind us that science already exists; our responsibility now is to ensure that this science reaches every patient who needs it. With this perspective, the focus during my tenure will be on awareness, education, collaboration, and action to strengthen stroke care across India. One of the central initiatives during this year will be 'Save the Brain' as the message is simple- Stroke is preventable. Stroke is treatable. Through this national initiative, we aim to improve awareness among the general public as well as physicians who may not yet fully recognize the urgency of stroke care. Public education, physician engagement, and collaborative efforts across healthcare systems will be key components of this initiative. By spreading the message that 'Time is Brain,' we hope to ensure that more patients reach hospitals in time to receive life-saving treatments."

The coming year also marks the centenary of cerebral angiography, first performed in 1927 by the visionary neurologist Egas Moniz. This landmark discovery transformed our understanding of the cerebral circulation and laid the foundation for modern neurovascular imaging and intervention. To commemorate this historic milestone in neuroscience, the Indian Stroke Association plans to organize 100 Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs across India. These programs will strengthen academic exchange, encourage multidisciplinary collaboration, and inspire the next generation of neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, stroke specialists, and neurointerventionalists. India stands at an important moment in its history as we move toward becoming a developed nation by 2047. Strengthening healthcare systems and reducing the burden of diseases such as stroke will be essential in achieving this vision.

"ISA will continue to work toward improving stroke prevention, public awareness, timely treatment, and rehabilitation across the country. However, this mission cannot be achieved by individuals alone. It requires the collective strength, wisdom, and commitment of the entire neuroscience community. Together, we can build stronger stroke systems of care, empower young clinicians, and ensure that scientific advances translate into better outcomes for patients across India. Stroke is preventable. Stroke is treatable. Together, let us Save the Brain and Save Lives," said Dr Vikram Huded.

Dr. Arvind Sharma, Secretary of Indian Stroke Association (ISA), said, "We congratulate Dr. Vikram Huded on taking over as President of the Indian Stroke Association. Indian Stroke Association membership is more than 1400 Stroke Neurologists across India, and as the vision and mission of ISA, we started training fellow physicians across India to partner with us in stroke advocacy. Together, we will strengthen awareness, improve early diagnosis, and expand access to advanced stroke treatment across India. We started collaboration with Physicians in 2024 with the theme of "Mission Brain Attack", 2025 Theme "Time to act now". This year, the theme is "Save the Brain". President of the Indian Stroke Association Dr. Vikram Huded, and the whole Executive committee of ISA will take this initiative and further increase the awareness of Brain Attack among the public will have National programs and press meet with local organisations like Rotary, Indian Medical Association, and Association of Physicians of India."

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Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability in India, yet it is both preventable and treatable when recognised early. With Dr. Vikram Huded elected as the President of the Indian Stroke Association (ISA), the aims will be to shift towards strengthening awareness, improving timely access to treatment, and building a more coordinated stroke care system across the country.

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