The Global Stroke Bill of Rights is organized into three broad categories prioritized by the survivors and caregivers from around the world who led its development.
- The right to the best care
- The right to be informed and prepared
- The right to be supported in my recovery
Each of these categories addresses several issues in relation to treatment, care and support and all are focused on not just the immediate, but the long-term needs of survivors and carergivers. You can find the full text and toolkit to help you use the resource for local advocacy work on the WSO website.
Several WSO members have used the Global Stroke Bill of Rights to drive greater awareness and action on life after stroke support. For example, the Stroke Association Support Network Ghana (SASNET), used the document in their policy advocacy calling on the government to adopt and implement the Global Stroke Bill of Rights to improve stroke awareness and help take better care of all Ghanaian stroke survivors. In their meetings with government ministers, the document proved extremely valuable in setting out the priorities for stroke in Ghana and has helped put patient needs at the heart of discussion of stroke care in a challenging healthcare context. ‘There are many competing demands on our health system in Ghana, the clear statements in the Global Stroke Bill of Rights have helped us to have focused conversations with the Ministry of Health. We have now been able to collaborate with the Government in national awareness campaigns’ says Ad Adams Ebenezer, Executive Director of SASNET-Ghana.
Dr Wan Asyraf Zaidi, consultant neurologist in Malaysia and WSO Future Stroke Leader has used the translated Global Stroke Bill of Rights to advance awareness of the needs of survivors and caregivers, as well as providing a resource to support practitioners to reflect on their own practice. ‘Having the Global Stroke Bill of Rights in Bahasa Melayu has been really important for stroke awareness in Malaysia. We have been able to promote these priorities to the general public, patient groups and decision makers. As a stroke clinician the document is also an important reminder of how we as health professionals need to support those at risk of stroke and those who have experienced a stroke’.
You can download the full Global Stroke Bill of Rights document, and find toolkits to support engagement and awareness on the WSO website.
From January through March 2024, the World Stroke Campaign will be focused on raising awareness of the needs and experiences of survivors and caregivers and the importance of long-term care and support. You can follow the WSO Life After Stroke campaign on our Facebook and Instagram and Twitter/X channels and share your experiences, perspectives and resources to improve #LifeAfterStroke.