Siemens Healthineers and World Stroke Organization Increase Global Stroke Care

Siemens Healthineers and the World Stroke Organization (WSO) have announced a two-year partnership to develop the acute stroke workforce and improve treatment and care for stroke.
 
According to WSO, stroke is the second-leading cause of death and the third-leading cause of disability in adults. Its incidence is rising rapidly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)1, where a growing burden of disease is challenging already-fragile health systems.
 
“Stroke treatments exist that we know deliver better outcomes for patients and we have evidence that these can be delivered cost-effectively in low-, middle- and high-income countries.” said WSO President Sheila Martins. “Supporting healthcare providers and clinicians to deliver the best possible standard of care is at the core of the WSO mission. And we need all parts of the care system to pull together to alter this disastrous disease trajectory.” 
 
This partnership aims to provide holistic solutions throughout the stroke pathway and will build on a program of hands-on workshops. With a new global scope, the program delivers educational and training programs that are aimed at strengthening clinical capacity and driving access to mechanical thrombectomy.
 
“By providing healthcare professionals with valuable skills to make timely and informed diagnoses, and equipping healthcare systems with the latest imaging and therapy technologies, we aim to make effective stroke care available to everyone,” said Carsten Bertram, head of Advanced Therapies at Siemens Healthineers. “This partnership supports our goal of lowering the global burden of stroke and will really help move the needle in stroke care around the world.”
 
Delivery of mechanical thrombectomy requires a complex range of actions across the healthcare system including raising public awareness of stroke symptoms, ensuring timely hospital presentation, and bringing acute healthcare systems up to levels that enable fast diagnosis and clinical decision-making. 
 
WSO programs work to address this system change through a Stroke Center Certification program, clinical education, and public awareness campaigns.

References