Dubai will set up the first telestroke facility in collaboration with Rashid Hospital to link at least 14 hospitals in the UAE, integrating them through telemedicine on implementing specific stroke protocols by the end of 2016.

Giving exclusive information to Gulf News on the sidelines of the third Middle East and North Africa Stroke Conference, Dr Sohail Al Rukn, head of the Stroke Unit of Rashid Hospital said: “Time and correct protocols are extremely crucial in management and treatment of stroke and can actually save a life and even have a patient walk out with little disability. Upon examination we found that many health care specialists in hospitals across UAE could be taught to cut back the time of diagnosis and the life-saving injection as well as management of the condition by half. Right now, the process of integrating four hospitals across the UAE is under way. These include Al Ain, Al Qasimi, Khalifa and Saudi German with Rashid hospital, which received accreditation last year and is in the process of setting up protocols and guidelines. This programme will be extended to cover many hospitals once the telestroke project is undertaken next year.” Details