Apollo Hospitals Takes Stroke Awareness To Schools With ‘FAST’ Message

Chennai, October 29, 2026: Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, and Apollo Shine Foundation organised a World Stroke Day awareness programme at Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidyashram, where students formed ‘FAST’ to highlight the importance of recognising stroke symptoms and seeking emergency care. 

Chief Guest Thiru Rajmohan Arumugam, Minister for School Education, Tamil Development, Information and Publicity, Government of Tamil Nadu, attended alongside Shri P.G. Subramanian, Principal, Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidyashram, Kilpauk. FAST stands for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty and Time to act immediately. Global estimates recorded 13.2 million new strokesand 6.8 million stroke-related deaths in 2023. 

Dr. Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy, CEO, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai Region, stressed the importance of taking healthcare awareness into schools and communities. Dr. Srinivasan Paramasivam, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, highlighted sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties and vision or balance problems as warning signs. He urged immediate emergency care, noting that high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and high cholesterol increase stroke risk. 

The initiative encouraged students to share lifesaving information with their families and reinforced a crucial message: recognise the signs, act fast and never delay treatment.

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