Addressing the Rising Burden of Stroke in Nigeria and Tanzania: WSO & Merz Therapeutics Launch the African Educational Initiative

05 Mar 2025

Stroke remains a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide, with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bearing a disproportionate burden. Recognizing this urgent challenge, the World Stroke Organization (WSO) and Merz Therapeutics have joined forces to expand acute stroke and rehabilitation services in Nigeria and Tanzania.

This collaboration aims to bridge critical gaps in stroke care by establishing a network of acute stroke and rehabilitation centers, ensuring that underserved communities gain better access to lifesaving interventions. The initiative focuses on two core objectives:

Enhancing stroke care services in Tanzania, equipping healthcare providers with tools to deliver patient-centered treatment in low-resource settings
Strengthening post-stroke rehabilitation in Nigeria, by educating neurologists and expanding the capacity of healthcare professionals (HCPs) to provide effective long-term care.

Launching the African Educational Initiative

A key pillar of this collaboration is the African Educational Initiative, a structured training program designed to transform stroke care delivery in Nigeria and Tanzania. The program follows a three-phase approach:

4-day online training for stroke specialists and healthcare providers.
4-month self-learning initiative, allowing participants to deepen their knowledge and refine practical skills.

Final knowledge assessment, ensuring participants have gained the competencies needed to drive change in their respective healthcare settings.

The initiative launched with a highly interactive 4-hour session, marking the start of an intensive 4-day training program, bringing together 244 stroke practitioners, including neurologists, nurses, and rehabilitation specialists.

Engaging a Growing Network of Stroke Experts

The online session saw strong participation across multiple sites:

Nigeria:

110 participants onsite at FMC Asaba
43 participants onsite at FMC Onitsha

Tanzania:

91 participants across three hospitals: Muhimbili National Hospital, Bugando Medical Centre, and Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre.

The discussions were dynamic and insightful, with healthcare professionals actively engaging in case-based learning, treatment strategy discussions, and rehabilitation best practices. The high level of engagement underscored the growing awareness and commitment to improving stroke care in these regions.

Building a Sustainable Stroke Care Network

This initiative is made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Merz Therapeutics, reflecting a shared commitment to:

✔ Expanding healthcare capacity in LMICs.
✔ Increasing awareness of stroke prevention and early intervention.
✔ Empowering healthcare professionals with the tools to improve patient outcomes.

By investing in education, capacity-building, and infrastructure development, WSO and Merz Therapeutics are laying the foundation for a lasting impact on stroke care in Africa.

Looking Ahead

This is just the beginning. As the African Educational Initiative progresses, more healthcare providers will be trained, stroke care networks will grow, and communities will gain better access to essential stroke services.

With continued collaboration and commitment, we can create a future where stroke patients in Africa receive timely, high-quality care—reducing disability and saving lives.

Stay Engaged!
For more updates on this initiative, visit WSO's official website or follow our ongoing efforts in Nigeria and Tanzania on our social media channels.

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