– World Stroke Organization addresses gaps in access to quality stroke care
GENEVA, Switzerland, Oct. 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — On World Stroke Day (October 29), the World Stroke Organization has announced the launch of a new program that aims to boost access to a quality care for acute stroke and saving lives around the world.
The WSO Stroke Certification initiative is a strategic response to the results of a WHO-WSO survey that found less than half (49%) of countries could provide evidence-based comprehensive care for acute stroke. The survey also identified a huge gap in care provision between high-, low- and middle-income countries. While 91% of high-income countries were able to provide access to specialist stroke unit care, the figure was only 8% in low-income countries.
Two of the critical markers of quality of care for acute stroke are thrombolysis (removal of blood clots by intravenous medication) and thrombectomy (removal of blood clots by minimally invasive surgery). Research published by the WSO found that the global rates of access to these treatments stand at 46% and 30%, respectively.
“One in four of us will have a stroke in their lifetime, yet the majority of people around the world lack access to effective treatment and care at stroke centers. Effective global prevention efforts have brought us to a place where stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability worldwide, with a staggering human and economic cost,” said WSO President Dr. Professor Marc Fisher. Incoming WSO President and prominent Brazilian neurologist Professor Sheila Martins added: “We have the knowledge and tools that could save millions of lives and hundreds of millions of dollars. Providing quality stroke care is not just the right thing to do, It’s the smartest thing.”
The WSO Global Stroke Action Plan and Guidelines aim to help institutions and governments implement evidence-based criteria and standards for care developed by the WSO. Initially targeting hospitals in middle-income countries, the program will launch on November 1 with the primary goal of growing the global network of accredited stroke care providers.
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. On World Stroke Day, the public, healthcare professionals, stroke survivors, politicians and industry leaders will come together to raise awareness of stroke symptoms and the importance of timely treatment.
The public can follow the campaign on social media using
Notes to editors
I. The World Stroke Organization is the only global body focused exclusively on stroke. With around 3,000 individual and 100 society members, spanning all regions of the world, we represent more than 55,000 stroke specialists in clinical research and support services. WSO is in official relations with the WHO and has consultative status with the UN.II. The WSO Stroke Certification program is based on the WSO-SIEVC Latin American and Caribbean Certification program EnlaceIII. Status of stroke services worldwide link IV. WSO Global Stoke factsheet link V. World Stroke Day website www.worldstrokecampaign.org
Contacts: Anita Wiseman, Campaign and Partnerships Manager, WSOcampaign@world-stroke.org 447940029444
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