students form ‘FAST’ message

Students at Bhavan's Rajaji Vidyashram, Chennai, formedthe letters ‘FAST’ in a human formation as part of a stroke awareness programme organised by Apollo Hospitals, Chennaiand Apollo Shine Foundationto highlight the importance of recognising stroke symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention. The programme, held to mark World Stroke Day, was attended by Thiru Rajmohan Arumugam, Minister for School Education, Tamil Development, Information and Publicity, Government of Tamil Nadu, as the chief guest. Shri P.G. Subramanian, Principal, Bhavan's Rajaji Vidyashram, Kilpauk Chennai participated in the event. The initiative sought to equip students with basic knowledge of stroke warning signs and encourage them to share the information with their families. FAST stands for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty and Time to act immediately. The message is intended to help people identify common warning signs and understand that a suspected stroke requires urgent medical attention. The scale of the problem underscores the importance of awareness. Global Burden of Disease estimates published in 2026 recorded 13.2 million new strokes and 6.8 million stroke-related deaths worldwide in 2023. The estimates also attributed about 83% of the global stroke burden to modifiable risk factors, with high blood pressure identified as the leading contributor. Dr Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy, Chief Executive Officer, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai Regionsaid,“Healthcare awareness must extend beyond hospitals and reach people where they live, learn and work. Schools provide an opportunity to introduce important health messages to young people, who can also share them with their families. A stroke is a medical emergency, and recognising the symptoms and acting without delay are crucial. Through community initiatives such as this, we aim to encourage people to respond promptly when warning signs appear.” Dr Srinivasan Paramasivam, Senior Consultant, Neurosurgeon, Apollo Hospitals,Greams Road Chennai said that stroke symptoms often develop suddenly and may include facial drooping, weakness in one arm or difficulty speaking. Sudden loss of balance or vision can also be a warning sign. “If someone develops these symptoms, seek emergency medical help immediately rather than waiting to see if they improve. Note the time the symptoms began, as this information can help doctors assess the patient and plan treatment. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke. Diabetes, smoking and high cholesterol can also increase the risk. Regular health checks and appropriate management of these conditions are important steps towards reducing the risk,”said Dr. Srinivasan Paramasivam. Through the initiative, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, and Bhavan’s School sought to take stroke awareness beyond healthcare settings and encourage students and their families to recognise warning signs, respond promptly and pay attention to factors that increase stroke risk.