Assam has received two Mobile Stroke Units (MSUs) from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a move aimed at improving access to advanced stroke care in rural and remote parts of the state. The handover ceremony was held at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH), Dibrugarh, one of the MSUs’ operational bases.
The initiative converts a pilot project into a permanent service under the Assam government, designed to drastically reduce the time between stroke onset and treatment—a critical factor in saving lives and preventing long-term disability.
Each Mobile Stroke Unit functions as a “hospital on wheels”, equipped with an on-board CT scanner, telemedicine links to neurologists, point-of-care laboratory facilities, and emergency clot-busting medicines. The units allow medical teams to diagnose and begin treatment at or near the patient’s location, rather than waiting until they reach a hospital.
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in India, with delays in accessing specialised care particularly affecting rural populations. During the pilot phase, the MSUs significantly reduced treatment times and improved patient outcomes.
ICMR Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl highlighted that India has now become the second country globally to integrate Mobile Stroke Units into emergency medical services for rural stroke care, following models first developed in Germany.
The two MSUs are based at AMCH, Dibrugarh and Tezpur Medical College and Hospital, ensuring that underserved districts in Assam can access timely stroke diagnosis and treatment.
State Health and Family Welfare officials said the programme will strengthen Assam’s emergency healthcare infrastructure, improve early diagnosis and intervention, and reduce mortality and long-term disability associated with strokes, bringing advanced medical care closer to rural communities.
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