Chandigarh, November 19
The Stroke services of the Department of Neurology PGIMER, celebrated the Stroke month in November 2025.The program has comprised of a diverse range of academic, creative, and community-based activities aimed at strengthening stroke advocacy and awareness. Community outreach formed a major part of the initiative including schools and health centers. This year a significant role was played by the National Institute of Nursing Education (NINE), PGIMER who collaborated in this campaign.
The activities began on 4th November 2025 with a Poster & Slogan Making Competition and a Reel Making Competition, where students showcased their creativity in spreading stroke awareness. On 11th November, a Quiz Competition was conducted testing participants’ knowledge on stroke prevention and management.
On 11th and 12th November, Community Health Stroke Programs were conducted in schools and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Health Centers) at Dhaddu Majra Colony and Dhanas, engaging students, teachers, and local residents in interactive sessions on stroke risk factors, early recognition, emergency response and prevention. These were great opportunity to reach out to community at a large. Prof. Dheeraj Khurana and Dr Manju Dhandapani stressed upon early identification and prevention of stroke. The events were enriched with street plays by the nursing students.
The major highlight of this year’s campaign has been the School Health Program which was virtual stroke education program for around ten schools of Chandigarh. The event was graced by Mr HPS Brar, Director of School Education, Chandigarh, Dr P. Vijaya, President, Indian Stroke Association, and Prof. Jeyaraj D Pandian, President, World Stroke Organization & Head of Neurology and the Principal/Dean from Christian Medical College (CMC), Ludhiana.
A major highlight of the week was the Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) program held on 13th November 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the NINE Auditorium. The event was graced by distinguished dignitaries: Prof. RK Ratho, Dean Academic, PGIMER as Chief Guest, and Prof. Rajesh Chhabra, Department of Neurosurgery, PGIMER as Guest of Honour. This event hosted participants from various spectrum of healthcare and community including doctors, nurses, auxiliary nurse midwives, nursing students, administrative & auxiliary staff and school teachers. Dr. Manju Dhandapani released the CNE theme and presented a report of Stroke Week activities. The dignitaries then addressed the gathering: Prof. Rajesh Chhabra delivered the Special Guest’s remarks, Dr. Suman Singh shared her perspective as Guest of Honour, and Prof. RK Ratho inspired the audience with his Chief Guest’s address.
The program included a symposium on early identification, prevention, and management of stroke chaired by Dr. Navneet Dhaliwal. A panel discussion and interactive Q&A session followed, chaired by Prof. Dheeraj Khurana Incharge Stroke Services, Neurology, PGIMER, and moderated by Dr. Manju Dhandapani and Dr. Manisha Nagi. The panel included experts such as Dr. Sukhpal Kaur, Prof. J.S. Thakur, Dr. Nidhi Sharma, and Prof. S.S. Dhandapani, who engaged in a rich dialogue on stroke prevention, management, rehabilitation and advocacy.
Participants were deeply inspired by the experience sharing of stroke survivors which was followed by the display of reels, posters, and slogans. The celebrations culminated with a Street Play/ Nukat Naatak at PGI Campus on 14th November, where nursing students dramatized the importance of stroke awareness in a powerful and engaging manner for the public.
