A Need For World Stroke Federation

Can you believe that the World Health Organization (WHO) has no separate agenda for stroke? It was during the International Stroke Society (ISS) organizational meeting in Geneva last May, when this fact for stroke has been discovered. The meeting was attended by WHO officials and senior neurologists from all over the globe. The WHO officials were invited to this meeting to seek channels for improving stroke services. The meeting was well attended and SAGAS was there. At the beginning, the issues of stroke and vascular dementias were addressed. There was a general understanding that we are in a critical stage and action has be taken. In addressing the meeting, WHO stressed that country and regional collaboration is severely needed, as well as better global data. The problems to be addressed are size of stroke impact, cause, primary prevention, identification of population at risk, commitment at national level and resources. Despite the increasing challenge of stroke, WHO still claims it as part of their agenda for cardiovascular diseases, (I do not recall seeing a single cardiologist in the meeting). The ISS proposed that stroke should be dealt with separately, just like epilepsy or multiple sclerosis. There was vigorous discussion but stroke remained part of cardiovascular diseases.  

Although the past ten years were called " Decade of the Brain ", it is quite clear that stroke incidence and prevalence is increasing all over the world. Yet, there are many organizations and groups of variable size and commitment who are concerned with the issue of stroke. The big question whether these groups communicate? And are they doing enough? This question is quickly answered with a “no”. The reason is simply that there is no single scientific body that links them all together, where regional problems can be discussed, for solutions and sought methods, programs and guidelines in the fight against stroke. In our region, the story is even worse. There are no well-structured organizations that deal with stroke as a separate entity. We are still indifferent to the problem. It was clear in the Geneva meeting that a broader organization is needed, such that all world stroke groups and societies can interact. A "World Stroke Federation" seems a necessity. Those who are working in stroke issues are asked to put their heads together and work to make this possible. We need to encourage WHO to make a separate agenda for stroke. 

We know that stroke is the most common cause of adult disability and the second most common cause of death (used to be third and soon might be first). We know that our population is young, but getting older, and based on the initial observations in the literature, Saudis have increased risk factors. The time has come where we need to put things into perspective. The challenge is huge and we must act now. The public must know about stroke risk factors. They need to know that there are ways to get protection from stroke. They need to know about the symptoms of stroke and they must know that there is an acute treatment for stroke. This will not happen unless we work together and make sure that the message is spread. Our physicians must be taught how to prevent a stroke and how to treat a stroke victim. We must make every effort to create stroke units. The expected "World Stroke Federation" means that SAGAS should be up to the event and meet its objectives.

Dr Waleed Khoja