Every M1nute Counts, Act FAST: IFI's 4th Edition of ‘Spot Stroke, Save Lives’ Campaign

Every M1nute Counts when a Brain Stroke occurs. Adopting healthy practices to prevent this health emergency as well as recognising the warning signs and seeking immediate medical attention can make a critical difference to survival and recovery. Yet, limited awareness continues to be a major hurdle in addressing the growing burden of stroke worldwide.

According to the World Stroke Organization’s Global Stroke Fact Sheet 2025, nearly 12 million people experience strokes worldwide every year, around 7.3 million die from the condition, and nearly 94 million are left with short to long-term disability impacts. The data further enumerates that one in four adults aged 25 and above is estimated to experience a stroke during their lifetime.

At IFI Foundation, we believe that accessible, reliable information and sustained public engagement are essential to improving public health outcomes. In observance of World Stroke Day on October 29, 2026, the Foundation launched the fourth edition of its flagship public health outreach initiative, ‘Spot Stroke, Save Lives’. The five-day digital awareness campaign, running from October 29 to November 2, brings together multilingual awareness content, healthcare professional-led videos and expert guidance for advocacy, promote best practices for early recognition and timely action against this silent killer.

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Speaking about the campaign, Nilambar Rath, Co-Chair, IFI Foundation and Campaign Chair, IFI Stroke Initiative, said, “Stroke awareness cannot be limited to a single day or campaign. It requires sustained engagement to help people recognise warning signs, understand risk factors and act without delay. We believe that young people can become powerful ambassadors of this life-saving knowledge acting as ‘Stroke Spotters’, taking it beyond digital platforms and into their homes, peer groups and communities. Through ‘Spot Stroke, Save Lives’, we want to turn awareness into a collective movement for timely action.”

While stroke is commonly associated with older adults, it can affect people across age groups, including young adults. By engaging young people, families and communities, IFI aims to make stroke awareness a shared responsibility and its life-saving knowledge more accessible to all.

Building a Year-Round Movement

Our commitment to stroke awareness extends beyond World Stroke Day. This year's edition builds on a year-round awareness initiative launched at U.N. (Autonomous) College of Science and Technology, Adaspur, on World Health Day, April 7, 2026. Through continued digital outreach, youth engagement and community-level awareness activities, IFI is working to strengthen public understanding of stroke symptoms, risk factors, prevention and timely intervention along with encouraging behavioural change communication (BCC).

The ongoing digital initiative features healthcare professional-led videos and awareness messages in Odia, Hindi and Bengali, making essential health information accessible to diverse audiences. Dr Sanghamitra Pati, ADG, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Director, ICMR NIHR, Bhubaneswar, with Dr Maya Gantayet, senior Neurologist, MD and Co-Founder, Ashwini Group of Hospitals and Dr Subhransu Sekhar Jena, eminent Neurologist are serving as campaign advisors.

In addition to the ongoing digital initiative, the Foundation has also planned to organise several ground-level programmes like Media Workshop and a Youth Awareness Program in November 2026.

Recognising the Signs, Acting Without Delay

Early recognition is critical to responding to a stroke. The World Stroke Organization's FAST framework provides a simple way to identify its key warning signs:

• F – Face: Drooping on one side of the face.

• A – Arms: One arm drifts downward when both arms are raised.

• S – Speech: Slurred speech or difficulty speaking or understanding.

• T – Time: Seek emergency medical assistance immediately.

Modifiable risk factors, including high blood pressure, elevated LDL cholesterol, smoking, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and high blood glucose are also vital parameters to monitor. Understanding these risks and adopting healthier habits can contribute to stroke prevention.

Emphasising the Foundation's commitment to social transformation in tackling this global killer, Sidharth Rath, Executive Director, IFI Foundation, said, “People need to recognise the warning signs, understand the risk factors and know what to do when stroke symptoms appear. Our effort is to make this information accessible across languages and communities, encouraging people to respond immediately and seek medical attention. Timely action can save lives and improve outcomes.”

This year's World Stroke Day theme, ‘Every M1nute Counts’, reinforces the urgency of recognising stroke symptoms and acting quickly through the global call to action, #ActFAST.

Strengthening a Sustained Commitment

As a member of the World Stroke Organisation (WSO), IFI Foundation has been advancing stroke awareness through dedicated campaigns since 2023. Our 2025 World Stroke Day campaign received a ‘Highly Commended’ distinction from the WSO in the Low- and Middle-Income Country category, recognising our continued efforts towards public awareness and engagement.

IFI gratefully acknowledges OdishaLIVE and Swasthya Plus Network as outreach partners, aml Communications as the official communications partner, and Utkal Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited (UCCIL) as an ecosystem partner for their continued support in strengthening the campaign's reach and impact.