Bhubaneswar, November 13: Brain stroke, one of the leading global public health threats, claims millions of lives annually and leaves many others disabled. Raising awareness, especially among the youth, is essential for its prevention, early detection, and timely intervention.
In response to this growing concern, the IFI Foundation, a member of the World Stroke Organisation (WSO), recently hosted a special youth awareness program titled “Spot Stroke, Save Lives” at Berhampur University, in collaboration with the university's Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Prof. Geetanjali Dash, Vice-Chancellor of Berhampur University, praised the initiative, emphasizing the crucial role of young people in advancing public health advocacy. "Economic prosperity flourishes when education empowers minds, and public health strengthens lives. The rising incidence of brain strokes demands urgent attention. Our youth can play a transformative role by spreading awareness, adopting healthy habits, and becoming responsible health ambassadors. Programs like ‘Spot Stroke, Save Lives’ inspire them to take proactive steps toward a stroke-free society," she said.
Highlighting IFI Foundation’s ongoing commitment, Nilambar Rath, Chair of the IFI Stroke Initiative, shared, "For the past three years, the IFI Foundation, alongside our partners, has been leading the Stroke-Mukt Jeevan campaign, a multi-faceted public health outreach movement in Odisha and beyond. This year, at Berhampur University, we are preparing students to become ‘Stroke Spotters’—so today’s youth can emerge as tomorrow’s ‘Stroke Warriors’ in the battle against this life-threatening emergency."
The program began with a welcome address by Dr. Bandita Kumari Panda, Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, who stressed the importance of youth-led health communication. Participants were shown a special audio-visual presentation on brain stroke prevention and management, followed by the unveiling of campaign newsletters and awareness posters.
Renowned public health expert Dr. Saroj Kumar Misra delivered an insightful session on the medical aspects of brain stroke. Prof. Sukanta Kumar Tripathy, Chairman of the PG Council, spoke about the global rise in stroke cases and highlighted the vital role of youth, empowered through such programs, in tackling the issue. He underscored the importance of prevention, stating that youth could play a pivotal role in reducing stroke-related mortality and morbidity.
Students, university officials, and staff actively participated in the event, showcasing their creativity through digital posters created during a competition held by the IFI Foundation on World Stroke Organization themes. A collective Stroke Awareness Pledge Ceremony concluded the program, where participants committed to spreading the life-saving message: Spot Stroke, Save Lives.
Pranati Parida, Co-Chair of the IFI Foundation, also attended the event, inspiring participants to become champions for stroke prevention and awareness. Amit Kumar Mohanty from OdishaLIVE delivered the vote of thanks, while Sushreesmita Behera anchored the event. Other participants included Sitansu Sekhar Sutar, Priyanka Sucharita, and Smrutirekha Panigrahi, who contributed to the smooth running of the program.
This event was part of the IFI Foundation’s broader annual public health outreach campaign ‘Stroke-Mukt Jeevan’ (Stroke-Free Life), which is observed around World Stroke Day every year. The 2025 campaign was organized in collaboration with OdishaLIVE and Swasthya Plus as outreach partners. Berhampur University acted as the academic partner, Radio Bhubaneswar served as the Radio Partner, and Utkal Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ltd, along with TiE Bhubaneswar, provided support as Ecosystem Partners.
