The World Stroke Organization believes that its mission of raising stroke awareness and improving stroke care cannot be achieved alone, so it has partnered with industry, including Philips, to help in these efforts. One example of this partnership is World Stroke Day, which has already helped in creating awareness. However, the organization sees Philips’ involvement as crucial in the area of stroke diagnosis and treatment, particularly in the rapid evaluation of patients and the provision of hyperacute stroke care like thrombolysis and thrombectomy. Access to necessary infrastructure like CT scanners and improving access to hyperacute stroke care are also key focus areas. The partnership with Philips will also contribute to capacity building, training, and mapping stroke-ready hospitals in countries where this is still a major challenge.
In many rural areas, district hospitals lack CT scanners, making stroke diagnosis difficult. The World Stroke Organization has addressed this issue in Punjab, India, where they started a stroke program in government-run district hospitals and successfully installed CT scanners in all 22 facilities through a private-public partnership. Improving access to hyperacute stroke care, including the pre-hospital pathway and treatment options like thrombolytic and mechanical thrombectomy, is another important aspect. The latest recommendations from the World Health Organization emphasize the importance of low-cost cardiovascular interventions, including aspirin within 48 hours for acute ischemic stroke, stroke unit care, and rehabilitation. Philips’ involvement in these areas will greatly contribute to achieving the organization’s goals.
Additionally, the World Stroke Organization recognizes the need for capacity building, training, and the establishment of stroke-ready hospitals. While such systems are already streamlined in Europe and North America, many countries still face significant challenges. It is crucial to map out stroke-ready hospitals and educate the public about which facilities to go to in case of a stroke. Philips’ expertise and resources can play a vital role in addressing these challenges and making a significant impact in stroke care and awareness on a global scale. Through this partnership, the World Stroke Organization envisions improving stroke diagnosis, access to hyperacute stroke care, and building a stronger stroke care system worldwide.
