Words from the President, June 2023

03 Jul 2023

We are making remarkable strides in the global implementation of stroke services, and to achieve our goals, we need the collaborative efforts of the implementation task force, which comprises representatives from all continents. Our mission has gained further momentum with the involvement of the Alianza Joven Latinoamericana contra el ACV, a young group affiliated with the Iberoamerican Stroke Society, partnering with WSO to launch an implementation program in five countries: Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Bolivia. This effort is supported by the Angels Initiative. Additionally, the African Stroke Organization is joining forces with WSO to implement stroke services in sub-Saharan Africa. We initiated this journey two years ago in Ethiopia and are now planning to expand to Tanzania, Ibadan, Sierra Leone, and Kenya.

Implementation Task Force Chairs
/left to right side: Carlos Molina, Sheila Martins, Raul Nogueira/

The WSO Certification of stroke services is experiencing rapid expansion. We have successfully certified 41 centers in the Latin America and Caribbean region, spanning across 13 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. Currently, 49 centers have scheduled on-site visits for the next three months, and we have expanded the certification program to India. This year, we will also commence the program in Africa (Egypt) and Asian countries (Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, and Oman). The Implementation task force and the Brain and Heart task force will collaborate to ensure the certification of services and the implementation of neurocardiology teams in hospitals, with joint on-site visits.

I extend my sincere gratitude to all those who have been working tirelessly to accelerate the certification program, which has made a significant impact on the quality of stroke services worldwide. It is heartening to note that we now have 109 dedicated volunteers in the implementation task force, with 68 in the Americas (18 in North America and 50 in Latin America), 15 in Europe, 11 in Africa, 10 in Asia, and 5 in Oceania.

To learn more about the Implementation task force and our dedicated volunteers, please visit the WSO website. Detailed information about the certification program can be found at (https://globalstrokealliance.com/en/certification/). If you have not yet joined this initiative, I cordially invite you to become a part of our efforts by completing this short form: https://forms.gle/UZQBBM57Lo45PyN28

At the highly anticipated World Stroke Congress in Toronto, we will have the privilege of acknowledging and honoring the WSO-certified stroke centers in a special ceremony. This prestigious event serves as an ideal platform to celebrate their remarkable achievements and the significant impact they have made in advancing stroke care. It will be an opportunity to inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

Together, we are making a tangible difference in stroke care implementation worldwide. Thank you for your unwavering commitment.

Sheila Martins

WSO President

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