Pakistan's First Paediatric Stroke Centre Gets Dedicated Focal Person

Dr Anam Batool has been appointed as the focal person for Pakistan's first dedicated Paediatric Stroke Centre, established at Lahore General Hospital. The appointment marks a step forward in institutionalising specialised neurological care for children, a medical area that has historically been underserviced across the country.

Paediatric stroke is a recognised medical emergency that can result in permanent neurological disability or death if not treated rapidly and appropriately. The establishment of a focused centre at Lahore General Hospital addresses a critical gap in Pakistan's public health infrastructure, where specialised paediatric neurology services have been concentrated in a small number of tertiary care facilities.

Dr Batool's appointment as focal person is intended to provide clinical and administrative leadership for the new centre, overseeing case management, staff training, and the development of protocols specific to paediatric stroke diagnosis and treatment. The role carries significance for standardising care delivery and building institutional capacity.

Health experts have long advocated for dedicated paediatric neurology services in major public hospitals, noting that delayed or missed diagnosis of childhood stroke carries lifelong consequences for affected children and their families. The Lahore centre is expected to serve as a referral point for cases from across Punjab.