Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai has launched a dedicated Stroke Corridor on 29 October 2026, marking World Stroke Day with a specialised fast-track clinical pathway designed to accelerate emergency stroke diagnosis and intervention. As a comprehensive stroke care centre in Central Kerala, the hospital created the Stroke Corridor to ensure that patients experiencing acute stroke symptoms receive rapid, coordinated, multi-specialty evaluation and life-saving treatment from the moment they arrive.
In acute stroke management, every minute matters. Delays in diagnosis or intervention directly impact brain tissue survival and long-term functional recovery. The new Stroke Corridor at Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai streamlines every stage of emergency stroke care from dedicated pre-hospital ambulance transport and immediate emergency triage to rapid neuroimaging, clot-dissolving medical therapy, neuro-interventional procedures, neurosurgery, critical care and specialised rehabilitation.
The launch of the Stroke Corridor was formally announced by the hospital's management and leadership team, emphasising that stroke must be recognised as a time-critical medical emergency where immediate, structured hospital systems play a decisive role in preserving life and reducing long-term disability.
Why a dedicated Stroke Corridor matters
When blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted by a blocked blood vessel (ischaemic stroke) or bleeding (haemorrhagic stroke), brain cells begin to suffer irreversible damage within minutes. Rapid identification of the stroke type through neuroimaging is essential before specific targeted treatment can be initiated.
The Stroke Corridor replaces sequential, step-by-step delays with a parallel, pre-activated clinical workflow. The moment a suspected stroke patient is identified either en route via the hospital's stroke ambulance or upon arrival at the Emergency Department the stroke code activates diagnostic, neurological, interventional and critical-care teams simultaneously.
Inside the fast-track Stroke Corridor pathway
The Stroke Corridor at Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai connects five critical stages of acute stroke management into a single uninterrupted clinical pathway.
Equipped for emergency pre-hospital care, the dedicated Stroke Ambulance transports patients rapidly to Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai while alerting the in-house emergency and stroke teams before arrival.
Patients arriving at the Emergency Department undergo immediate clinical stroke assessment without administrative or queuing delays, triggering the hospital's fast-track Stroke Corridor protocol.
Once stroke symptoms are identified during primary evaluation, priority access to advanced CT and MRI imaging enables brain scans to be completed within the first 15 minutes of arrival.
Eligible patients with acute ischaemic stroke receive immediate intravenous thrombolysis (clot-busting medication) and, when indicated for large-vessel occlusion, catheter-based mechanical thrombectomy to restore blood flow.
Following acute intervention, patients transition seamlessly to specialised neuro-intensive care, neurosurgical management when required, and structured physical medicine and neuro-rehabilitation to support functional recovery.
Advanced acute stroke treatments available round the clock
Because different strokes require fundamentally different interventions, having comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities under one roof is critical. Through the Stroke Corridor, eligible patients gain immediate access to definitive medical, endovascular and surgical stroke therapies.
Six-department coordination under one roof
Effective stroke care extends beyond the first hour. The Stroke Corridor at Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai is overseen by a closely coordinated multidisciplinary framework comprising six specialised clinical departments working together 24 hours a day.
Rapid primary triage, airway and haemodynamic stabilisation, and immediate activation of the Stroke Corridor protocol on arrival.
Round-the-clock neurological evaluation, NIHSS scoring, neuroimaging interpretation, thrombolysis decision-making and secondary stroke prevention.
Advanced cerebral angiography, endovascular mechanical thrombectomy for large-vessel occlusions and interventional management of neurovascular lesions.
Emergency surgical intervention for intracerebral haemorrhage, decompressive craniectomy and complex neurovascular pathologies.
Continuous post-thrombolysis and post-thrombectomy neuro-intensive monitoring, haemodynamic optimization and multi-organ support.
Early inpatient neuro-rehabilitation, physiotherapy, speech and swallowing therapy, and occupational recovery programmes tailored to each patient.
If you or someone near you experiences sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech, sudden confusion, vision trouble or loss of balance, seek emergency care immediately. Consult our expert team at Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai Call the Dedicated Stroke Emergency Line: 82816 99242 or 04822 359 900 / 354 900 / 269 700, or visit marsleevamedicity.com.
Strengthening emergency stroke care in Central Kerala
For patients and families across Palai, Kottayam, Idukki and surrounding regions of Central Kerala, travel time to a comprehensive stroke centre can determine whether a patient qualifies for time-sensitive therapies such as thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy.
By combining a dedicated Stroke Ambulance, a 15-minute door-to-imaging protocol, round-the-clock specialist coverage and advanced neuro-interventional and neurosurgical facilities on a single campus, Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai provides an integrated safety net for acute stroke emergencies from initial symptom recognition through long-term neurological recovery.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Stroke Corridor at Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai?
The Stroke Corridor at Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai is a dedicated fast-track emergency clinical pathway launched on 29 October 2026 in connection with World Stroke Day. It is designed to eliminate hospital delays for acute stroke patients by coordinating immediate triage, rapid CT/MRI imaging within 15 minutes, and urgent treatments such as thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy.
How quickly are CT and MRI scans performed under the Stroke Corridor protocol?
Once stroke symptoms are identified during primary evaluation in the Emergency Department, the Stroke Corridor protocol enables emergency CT or MRI brain imaging to be performed within the first 15 minutes of arrival.
What treatments are available through the Stroke Corridor at Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai?
Eligible patients have rapid access to intravenous thrombolysis (medication to dissolve blood clots), mechanical thrombectomy (catheter-based clot removal performed by neuro-interventional specialists), neurosurgical management, neuro-critical care and early physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Does Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai have a dedicated Stroke Ambulance?
Yes. Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai operates a dedicated Stroke Ambulance service to transport suspected stroke patients rapidly to the hospital while alerting the emergency and stroke teams in advance.
Which departments are part of the Stroke Corridor team at Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai?
The Stroke Corridor is jointly overseen 24 hours a day by six coordinated departments: Emergency Medicine, Neurology, Neuro-interventional Radiology, Neurosurgery, Critical Care Medicine, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
Are stroke specialists available 24 hours a day at Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai?
Yes. Doctors, nurses and clinical specialists specially trained in acute stroke management are available 24×7 at Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai to handle stroke emergencies at any hour.
Why are the first few minutes after a stroke so important?
During an acute stroke, millions of brain cells are at risk every minute blood flow remains blocked. Rapid neuroimaging and timely restoration of blood flow through thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy significantly improve survival and reduce the risk of permanent paralysis, speech loss or long-term disability.
How can I contact Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai for a stroke emergency or consultation?
For stroke emergencies or consultations at Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai, call our dedicated stroke emergency line at 82816 99242 or 04822 359 900, 354 900 or 269 700, or visit marsleevamedicity.com.
