Boehringer Ingelheim India, EMRI Green Health Services Partner to Strengthen Pre-Hospital Stroke Care

Boehringer Ingelheim India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hyderabad-based EMRI Green Health Services, a GVK enterprise, to improve pre-hospital stroke care management across India. The collaboration focuses on early stroke identification, standardized emergency protocols, and specialized training for ambulance personnel under the 108 National Emergency Ambulance Service.

Stroke remains one of the leading causes of mortality and disability in India, with nearly two million people affected annually. Timely intervention within the critical “golden period” of 4.5 hours is crucial in minimizing long-term damage, yet it is often missed due to diagnosis and emergency response delays.

Training and Standardized Protocols for Improved Stroke Care

Under this partnership, Boehringer Ingelheim India will facilitate specialized training through its Angels Initiative. The program includes a Train-the-Trainer module at EMRI’s Hyderabad campus, learning resources, certifications, and support in formalizing stroke management protocols for emergency medical services.

“This partnership underscores our commitment to improving access to timely stroke care,” said Dr. Shraddha Bhure, Medical Director, Boehringer Ingelheim India. “By equipping emergency medical teams with advanced tools and training, we aim to save lives and enhance patient outcomes, ensuring every stroke patient gets the care they need when it matters the most.”

EMRI Green Health Services, which operates across 14 states and union territories, provides critical emergency support through its 108 ambulance network. K Krishnam Raju, Director, EMRI Green Health Services, highlighted the initiative’s impact: “Stroke affects nearly two million people annually in India. Through this MoU, we are empowering our teams with the expertise and resources necessary to make a life-saving impact nationwide.”

Nationwide Implementation and Pre-Notification System

The collaboration also emphasizes the adoption of standardized stroke scales by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), ensuring consistency in pre-hospital stroke management. Additionally, a pre-notification system will be introduced, allowing ambulances to alert hospitals in advance and enabling quicker intervention upon patient arrival.

Dr. Jeyaraj Durai Pandian, President, World Stroke Organization, commended the initiative: “This collaboration will transform pre-hospital stroke care in India, bridging critical gaps to ensure timely intervention. Training over 9,000 ambulance teams across 14 states and implementing a pre-notification system is significant in addressing the stroke burden and improving patient outcomes. I commend both organizations for their commitment to advancing stroke care nationwide.”

With this initiative, Boehringer Ingelheim India and EMRI Green Health Services aim to establish a structured approach to emergency stroke response, reducing treatment delays and improving survival rates.