This year a total of 26 applications were received from members around the world and each submission was reviewed against the criteria for the awards which are set out on the website. Committee Members were looking for
- Campaigns that supported the WSO World Stroke Day theme and showed evidence of WSO campaign materials and messaging being used.
- Evidence of alignment with clear local objectives regarding stroke awareness and/or advocacu
- Creativity and innovation used to implement the global campaign in a local context
On the basis of this review, the Chairs selected the following winners in each of the three campaign categories.
Best Campaign in an Low or Middle Income Country
Winner: Association for Stroke and Aphasia, Bulgaria
The Campaign Committee were impressed by the implementation of a Minutes Save Lives #Precioustime campaign which served to share the message that Minutes Save Lives across the country with billboards, flyposters, large format posters outside local government and municipal building. The campaign video was locally translated and subtitled so it could be shown on screens across the public transport network and an impressive media relations strategy generated impressive coverage in the national, local and specialist press as well as on TV and radio. The Ministry of Health were engaged as partners in the campaign, helping to bring attention to the need to provide access to acute stroke care.
Runner-up Ankineedu Stroke Centre, India
This hospital led campaign reached out into the community with an impressive education and social media program to share the message that Minutes Save Lives. Materials were distributed to local communities and education of key medical teams was taken to strengthen acute stroke management within the hospital reducing the door to needle time to 30 minutes. Outreach to policy makers helped to sensitize local goverment to the issues and to build support for stroke awareness.
Best Campaign in a High Income Country
Winner: Por Una Vida Libre de AVC, Argentina
With a campaign that literally stopped traffic, the Argentinian campaign took the images of stroke symptoms to the street, using actors to demonstrate the signs of stroke alongside placards and liveried vehicles that toured the city. The public awareness campaign was complemented by an education 'Stroke treatment and management' that engaged stroke care professionals from a number od countries across Latin America as well as colleagues in South Africa. Nurses were given specific training to support their role in improving the quality of acute stroke care and outcomes for patients.
Individual Achievement Award
Joseph Rukielibuga, Stroke Action Rwanda
Stroke Action Rwanda commemorated World Stroke Day for the first time in 2022. From a standing start Jospeph Rukelibuga has led the delivery of highly visible local campaign that thas generated visiblity for stroke in the community as well as securing inclusion of stroke in the NCD Action Plan for the country. The Committee were impressed by Joseph's commitment as well as the strong strategic focus and advocacy outcomes that we are sure wil provide strong foundations for awareness and advocacy efforts within the country.
The selection of Award winners is always extremely difficult, we always see so many examples of strong commitment to stroke awareness and do not underestimate the hard work and leadership required to bring World Stroke Day alive. We sincerely hope that all of members continue to engage with the World Stroke Campaign awards, using them as a means to share good practice and inspire other organizations around the world. The Campaign Committee also looks forward to working with our Award winners to highlight their achievements and to share their experiences and expertise with the global stroke community.
World Stroke Campaign Award winners are entitled to one year of free individual membership and one free registration for the 2022 World Stroke Congress in Singapore.