CARE Hospitals Engages Medical Students and Schoolchildren in Stroke Awareness Drive in Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam : CARE Hospitals, Visakhapatnam, organised the Stroke Quiz Championship 2026 and Stroke Awareness Painting Competition at Hotel Grand Bay on Sunday, ahead of World Stroke Day on October 29. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about early stroke symptoms, the importance of emergency treatment and preventive measures. Held under the message “Every Minute Counts,” the event brought together medical students, interns and schoolchildren from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
Dr. G. Butchi Raju, Former Principal and Former Head of the Department of Neurology, Andhra Medical College (AMC), attended the event as Chief Guest. Dr. Rajesh Poosarla, Senior Interventional Neuro Radiologist; Dr. M. G. V. Aditya, Senior Neurologist; and Mr. G. Sukesh Reddy, Chief Operating Officer, CARE Hospitals, Visakhapatnam, also participated. They were joined by students from various medical colleges, medical interns, schoolchildren, teachers, representatives of GWS Art Academy, and doctors and staff of CARE Hospitals.
Dr. G. Butchi Raju, Former Principal and Former Head of the Department of Neurology, Andhra Medical College, said, “Stroke awareness should not be limited to doctors. Students and young people should also understand the condition. Recognising stroke symptoms early and seeking medical attention without delay is extremely important. Quiz and painting competitions are valuable ways of educating students about health. Medical students should share what they learn with society, while schoolchildren can help raise awareness within their families. Such initiatives can take the message of stroke awareness to a wider community.”
Dr. Rajesh Poosarla, Senior Interventional Neuro Radiologist, CARE Hospitals, said, “One of the biggest challenges in stroke treatment is that patients reach the hospital too late. Many wait for symptoms to improve on their own, while others dismiss them as minor health problems. This leads to the loss of valuable treatment time. Warning signs such as facial drooping, weakness in an arm or difficulty speaking require immediate emergency medical attention. Timely treatment can improve a patient’s chances of recovery.”
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