Words from the President, May 2024

10 Jun 2024

Switzerland held 2 important meetings in May: the European Stroke Organization Congress (ESOC) and the 77^th World Health Assembly.

The ESOC 2024, held from May 15-17 in Basel, was an incredible event featuring robust scientific content and the presentation of several new clinical trials. Embodying the spirit of the stroke community, the meeting fostered a warm and friendly atmosphere.

We presented the results of a pilot study from a randomized clinical trial aimed at demonstrating the concept that we can "Cut Stroke in Half" by treating patients with a low to moderate risk of stroke (without hypertension and with blood pressure between 120-139 mmHg plus one lifestyle risk factor). Among 362 randomized participants, those treated with the new polypill compared to placebo showed a decrease in both blood pressure and cholesterol levels, with the best outcomes observed when the Stroke Riskometer was included. The polypill, which includes two antihypertensives and a statin, was well tolerated in this population. Our next and biggest challenge involves a nationwide study with 8,250 patients. We anticipate a significant reduction in stroke incidence and cognitive decline. For more details, watch our ESOC interview: https://youtu.be/9WJKxL1BHS0

Also during the congress in Basel, WSO had the opportunity to join the implementation task force members, led by Bo Norrving and myself. Over 40 participants, both in person and virtually, attended to discuss updates and the next steps of the program. An excellent example of joint efforts is the latest partnership between the WSO’s Certification of Stroke Centers and the Australian Stroke Coalition's Stroke Unit Certification Program, certainly an outstanding model of cooperation.

On May 27th, as a parallel event to the 77^th World Health Assembly in Geneva, WSO, in collaboration with Philips, organized and hosted the inaugural Stroke Meeting titled "United in Action to Transform Stroke Care." Stroke specialists, along with Dr. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health of Jamaica, Dr. Mary Munive, Minister of Health of Costa Rica, and Dr. Supriyanto Dharmoredjo, representative of the Ministry of Health of Indonesia, addressed the growing global challenge of stroke. The meeting underscored the urgent need for enhanced international cooperation and comprehensive strategies to combat stroke, a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Participants acknowledged the disparities in stroke outcomes across different regions and populations, and Ministers were called to increase funding and resources to support the implementation of new treatments. Collaboration with international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector was deemed essential to drive progress.

Finally, a pivotal moment was our meeting with Dr. Tumaini Nagu, Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health of Tanzania, to discuss expanding the stroke project in collaboration with the Ministry. We are confident that the combined efforts of the WSO, the African Stroke Organization and the Ministries of Health will accelerate the implementation of acute stroke care in Africa.

Implementation Task Force Meeting, May 15^th, Basel, Switzerland

Presentation of WSO PROMOTE Trial, ESOC 2024, Basel Switzerland

Sheila Martins and Michael Brainin: PROMOTE Trial Interview, ESOC 2024, Basel Switzerland (https://youtu.be/9WJKxL1BHS0)

United in Action to Transform Stroke Care at the 77^th World Health Assembly.

From the left: Dr. Carlos Molina, stroke neurologist, Vice-President ESO (Spain), Dr. Supriyanto Dharmoredjo, representative of the Ministry of Health of Indonesia, Dr. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health of Jamaica, Dr Carla Peron, Medical Officer Philips (Netherlands), Dr. Mary Munive, Minister of Health of Costa Rica, Dr. Sheila Martins, stroke neurologist, WSO President (Brazil), Dr. Bo Norrving, stroke neurologist, WSO Past President (Sweden), Angelique Balguid, Leader Neurovascular Philips (Netherlands), Dr. Win van Zwan, Neurointerventional Radiologist (Netherlands), Dr. Taskeen Khan, World Health Organization (Switzerland)