THE director of Shija Hospitals and Research Institute (SHRI), Dr Palin Khundongbam, is overwhelmed with pride as he looks at how far the institution has come in just two years. He says, “When we began this journey, we had a simple goal – to save as many lives as possible and improve the quality of stroke care in our state.
“What we achieved with the Angels Initiative goes beyond that. It has transformed SHRI into a center of excellence. We are deeply grateful to Angels for their expertise and guidance. This recognition is a collective achievement, and we are just getting started.”
Indeed, for the team at Shija Hospitals, the recognition is not the end—it is only the beginning. Now a diamond hospital, they are more determined than ever to expand their stroke care services and continue their mission to save lives. Their partnership with Angels will continue, as they look forward to further training, outreach, and community awareness programs, ensuring that more people in Manipur benefit from timely, world-class stroke care.
Manipur, the “Jewel of India”, is a state where beauty and resilience coexist. Nestled in the northeastern corner of the country, bordered by Myanmar, it is a land of rich culture, lush hills, and serene lakes. But beneath its breathtaking landscapes and historical significance lies a pressing healthcare challenge.
The state, like much of the northeast, faces significant gaps in specialized medical care, particularly in the field of stroke treatment. In regions with limited access to specialized care, the consequences of a stroke can be devastating. Moreover, with its remote villages, challenging terrain, and sometimes disrupted communication lines, improving stroke care is a crucial priority.
In 2022, the Angels Initiative India held a meeting with the central government of India during which team leader William Masih explained the impact of Angels on improving the stroke care ecosystem through capacity building and pathway optimization. Also present in the meeting was an eminent decision maker, Mr. Luis (name altered for data privacy) of northeast India, who approached William about the potential for improving stroke care in the state of Manipur.
Luis’s father had suffered a stroke but with limited access to stroke treatment in their state little could be done for him. The son’s pain made him long to find a solution around stroke, and support for his vision to make his state stroke free.
On 10 noiembrie 2022, William and Sasmita Ambatkar, Angels Lead for East and West India, visited Imphal, the capital of Manipur, to observe its healthcare infrastructure. A meeting had been scheduled with all four medical colleges, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Regional Medical College, Chora Chand Medical College and Shija Medical College and Hospital. William and Sasmita were thrilled as it was a breath-taking experience, a first time visit to this corner of country. The long journey and the mesmerizing beauty of the state from the air, including the view of Loktak lake, the world’s only floating national park, infused them with energy and strengthened their commitment to make Manipur stroke-free.
An emergency prevented Luis from joining them on this visit but, rather than reschedule, William and Sasmita met with each hospital separately, observing the stroke pathway and made recommendations for improvement.
Back at the office, preparation began for an event to launch the program in Manipur. Angels consultant Nilotpal Kumar was brought on board and was excited to take on the assignment. On 24 February, William, Sasmita and Nilotpal traveled to Manipur for a meeting where Angels was the guest of honour. William introduced Angels and mapped out the vision for Stroke Free Manipur with clear milestones and a draft roadmap. Luis ensured all the hospitals’ concerns were heard and assured them of his wholehearted support.
During the meeting, the director of Shija Hospitals and Research Institute (SHRI), Dr Palin Khundongbam, came forward and expressed his desire for Shija to become a center for excellence. From their previous visit, the team knew that Shija was a stroke-treating hospital that met all the criteria for stroke readiness.
The Angels Initiative’s collaboration with Shija Hospitals formally began in May 2023 and marked a turning point for stroke care in Manipur. The focus was immediate – to reduce the critical door-to-needle time, minimize treatment delays, and ensure that stroke patients receive timely, high-quality care from the minute they entered the emergency room. The goal of the collaboration was not just to treat strokes—but to create a comprehensive stroke care facility in Manipur.
Together, the teams from Shija Hospitals and Angels worked tirelessly on optimizing protocols, implementing checklists, and using data-driven quality monitoring to ensure that every stroke patient was treated as quickly and effectively as possible. By standardizing procedures and reducing variability in care, they were able to improve critical response times and achieve better outcomes for patients.
The journey was not without its challenges. Manipur, a state that had faced its own social and political upheaval, was caught in a period of unrest in the summer of 2023. Inter-community clashes and instability affected daily life and made the work of medical professionals even more challenging. Despite these dark days, the teams at Shija Hospitals never wavered in their commitment. They continued their work even when the streets outside were filled with turmoil.
After months of hard work, relentless dedication, and overcoming numerous obstacles, Shija Hospitals and Angels saw the fruits of their labor. Their unwavering efforts were recognized when Shija Hospitals and Research Institute won diamond status in the WSO Angeks Awards. This award is a symbol of the hospital’s commitment to providing world-class stroke treatment, and it placed SHRI among the top healthcare institutions globally for stroke care.
This recognition is not just a badge of honor for the hospital but a testament to the power of collaboration and perseverance. It is proof that even in the face of adversity—be it the challenges of a difficult geography, socio-political unrest, or the complexities of stroke treatment—great things can be achieved when dedicated professionals come together with a singular goal: to save lives.
As Manipur emerges stronger from its challenges, the story of Shija Hospitals and the Angels Initiative stands as a beacon of hope—a testament to what can be achieved when healthcare systems are optimized, communities work together, and lives are prioritized. The future of stroke care in the state is brighter than ever, and with continued dedication and innovation, the team at SHRI is poised to lead the way for years to come.
