Words from the President, October 2024

01 Nov 2024 Words from the President

My Last President Words (now serving as Past President)

In October 2024, I had the opportunity to lead two significant events: the Global Stroke Alliance in Istanbul, Turkey, and the World Stroke Congress in Abu Dhabi.

The Global Stroke Alliance brought together stroke societies, experts and representatives from the Ministries of Health in the Middle East and Central Asia to discuss strategies for implementing stroke programs, alongside a neurointervention workshop that featured an intensive and comprehensive educational program. It was an incredible exchange of experiences and a spirit of collaboration among the 44 countries represented and 11 Ministries of Health. Undoubtedly, this event will bring great progress to the region!

The World Stroke Congress 2024 in Abu Dhabi, with 2,800 participants and 220 speakers, featured young leaders and researchers, world-leading figures in vascular neurology, societies, and major international institutions, as well as patient associations. Recent scientific discoveries, debates, guidelines, courses, and successful implementation experiences were enriched by an atmosphere of friendship and partnership. It was a tremendous success.

Finally, as my two-year presidency concluded during the congress, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone for the unwavering support. Your collaboration and commitment have been instrumental in achieving our goals and advancing our mission. It was truly an honor to serve alongside such a strong and inspiring organization. Thank you for your trust and confidence in my leadership. During these two years, with the contribution of several committees and members, we created the WSO Implementation Task Force, supported the WHO HEARTS Program, launched the online Roadmap for Stroke Services, launched the Certification of Stroke Centers and Rehabilitation Centers, started the implementation of acute stroke services in Sub-Saharan Africa, launched the Educational Program for Stroke Centers, launched the workshops and developed the fellowship program for neurointerventionalists, launched the Global Stroke Alliance (a WSO implementation policy meeting), launched the WSO Online Guidelines, developed the WHO Framework for Acute Coronary Syndrome and Stroke, launched the Global Declaration on Stroke and the Stroke Care Pathway Implementation Monitoring tool. I am confident that all this work will continue under the next term of my friend Jeyaraj Pandian, to whom I will give my full support. I look forward to seeing the continued success and growth of our organization.

Sheila Martins

WSO Past President