Jaipur, July 2026.

Pfizer, in collaboration with Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Hospital (MGMCH), Jaipur, recently conducted a scientific education programme to support the development of a hospital-based Anticoagulation Stewardship Program under its ACE-CARE Network initiative. The programme was designed to strengthen management of atrial fibrillation (AF), a common heart rhythm disorder associated with a significantly higher risk of stroke, by encouraging evidence-based treatment pathways, consistent protocols and closer collaboration across specialties.

More than 100 healthcare professionals participated in expert-led scientific sessions, case discussions, and multidisciplinary discussions on practical anticoagulation challenges in tertiary care. The deliberations addressed stroke prevention in AF, post-ACS/PCI anticoagulation decisions, identifying missed AF in stroke patients, acute venous thromboembolism, high-risk patient profiles, and questions around initiation, interruption, restart and monitoring of anticoagulation therapy.

The programme highlighted the need to move from individual clinician-dependent anticoagulation decisions to a hospital-wide stewardship model built on shared standards, clear accountability, structured communication, and patient-centered follow-up. This approach is especially relevant in tertiary care hospitals, where patients often move across emergency, cardiology, neurology, surgery, orthopaedics, intensive care, medicine and discharge settings, and each transition creates an opportunity to improve safety, continuity and outcomes.

Dr. Pankaj Gupta, Head – Medical Affairs, Pfizer, said, "Improving outcomes for patients with atrial fibrillation requires close partnership between healthcare professionals across specialties. Through our collaboration with Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Hospital under the ACE-CARE Network initiative, we are equipping clinicians with the latest scientific knowledge and encouraging consistent treatment practices that can help reduce the risk of stroke."

Dr VK Kapoor, Professor of Surgical Gastroenterology andPro Vice Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi University of Medical Sciences & Technology (MGUMST) said,“MGMCH is pleased to partner with Pfizer through the ACE-CARE Network initiative to strengthen anticoagulation stewardship. Effective anticoagulation management requires a coordinated approach across disciplines, so that patients receive the right treatment at the right time while minimizing risks. Initiatives like this help build greater awareness, standardize best practices, and improve patient safety and outcomes.”

With an estimated 7.9 million cases, India has the second highest number of atrial fibrillation patients. People with AF are three to five times more likely to suffer a stroke than those with normal heart rhythm. Early diagnosis, risk-based treatment and ongoing reassessment are important to reducing preventable stroke risk.

By helping hospitals build acommonanticoagulationlanguage across specialties, Pfizer’s ACE-CARE initiative aims to enable safer decisions, fewer variations in practice, and stronger continuity from diagnosis to discharge and follow-up.The Anticoagulation Stewardship Program brings scientific value by translating guideline principles into practical, hospital-ready workflows. Key elements include: 

·         Risk stratification and appropriate treatment decisions 

·         Standardized anticoagulation pathways 

·         Multispecialty coordination

·         Transitions-of-care safety 

·         Patient-centered education and adherence support 

·         Measurement and continuous improvement

The collaboration is expected to enhance atrial fibrillation and anticoagulation care at MGMCH by promoting timely diagnosis, protocol-driven treatment, coordinated referral and follow-up pathways, and consistent use of evidence-based anticoagulation therapy. For patients in Jaipur and neighboring districts who seek care at the hospital, these efforts can help reduce stroke risk, improve patient safety and support better long-term health outcomes.