The Stroke CARE (Coalition for Acute Stroke Response and Excellence) Meeting brings together global and local leaders from the World Stroke Organization (WSO), Stroke Society of the Philippines (SSP), and Angels Initiative, Boehringer Ingelheim’s global healthcare program, driving excellence in stroke response and care nationwide.
Regional stroke champions from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao engaged in the discussions to address the growing burden of stroke in the Philippines and bridge global standards with local solutions for better stroke care. Stroke remains a major public health concern in the Philippines, as the third leading cause of death and a major cause of long-term disability, with 34,464 fatalities from January to August 2024.
WSO President Prof. Jeyaraj Pandian reaffirmed the organization’s support for the Philippines, highlighting progress through the WSO Angels Certification Program and emphasizing the need for multisectoral collaboration, community awareness, and capacity-building across all levels of care. Key priorities discussed include the development of a unified national stroke strategy, improved access to timely treatment, adoption of data-driven tools like the Registry of Stroke Care Quality (RES-Q), and expanded training for frontline health workers.
The Angels Initiative remains committed to advancing stroke care in the Philippines through strategic partnerships, continuous capacity-building, and a shared vision of a stroke-ready nation.