United in Action - WSO Policy Panel During WHA77

05 Jun 2024

On Tuesday 27th May, the World Stroke Organization held a landmark meeting to shine a much-needed spotlight on the world of stroke.

Ahead of the UN High-Level meeting on NCDs due to take place in New York in September 2025, United in Action was the first stand alone WSO policy event at the World Health Assembly and that aimed to bring increased visibility and engagement in stroke at global policy level. The event, delivered with support from Philips set out to:

Raise awareness on the global burden of stroke
Shine a light on breakthrough developments in acute stroke care
Explore the health and economic opportunities these advances bring
Advocate the role of stroke care in achieving SDG3.4 and Health for All.

The event was attended by around 50 delegates and speakers, including representatives from World Health Organization, policy decision makers, patient, clinical, public and private sector. Moderated by Prof Dr. Bo Norrving, opening remarks were given by Dr. Angelique Balguid, Leader of the Neurovascular Portfolio at Philips, and followed by two panel discussions. The first panel welcomed representatives from academic and global health institutions and created space to explore the global policy landscape, the pathway for gold standard stroke care, and the role and potential of groundbreaking advances, including mechanical thrombectomy.

The second panel brought together Ministers of Health from Jamaica and Costa Rica, and a high-level health representative from Indonesia. Moving from global to local, it created an important opportunity to understand more about the challenges and opportunities countries face in adapting and implementing global policy changes, and some of the innovations and solutions that are working to close the gap in stroke care services.

Professor Dr. Sheila Martin, President of the World Stroke Organization, then provided critical insight into the role of the WSO, and the services and support we can provide. The event ended with a Q&A session and brief introductions into key partners, including Mission Thrombectomy and the Angels Initiative – a move that reinforced the power of collaboration in advancing progress to achieve stroke care for all.

A full report from the event and a global policy briefing paper will be shared with members and stakeholders shortly. WSO is grateful to Philips who supported the event.