Words from the President, May 2023

08 Jun 2023

May was a significant month for the World Stroke Organization. At the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Mia Grupper and I represented the WSO. The primary focus of the discussions revolved around the importance of investing in and accelerating prevention and care, particularly for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), within the framework of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

During the World Heart Summit panel on "local solutions for heart health," I had the privilege to share models aimed at enhancing acute stroke care in low and middle income countries, drawing examples from Brazil and Ethiopia. Additionally, I participated in a panel organized by the NCD Alliance, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), to discuss how civil society can contribute to global stroke care and prevention. Our conversation revolved around the WSO's experience in implementation, working alongside specialists, researchers, governments, private sectors, and stroke support organizations.

During this event, we proudly launched a position paper titled "Why integration of circulatory health interventions in primary care is essential," on behalf of the Global Coalition for Circulatory Health. The paper presented three straightforward and concise requests for decision-makers, based on its content:
1. Expand UHC services to include circulatory conditions by 2030;
2. Prioritize primary health care in national health budgets;
3. Give priority to cost-effective interventions for circulatory health when designing UHC benefit packages.

Participating in these discussions was an incredible experience, as it marked the first time stroke was included in the agenda. The resounding message from the World Health Assembly was that resources allocated to the health system should be seen as an investment for the future, rather than mere costs. We hope that governments worldwide will heed this message and take necessary action.

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