Philips and the World Stroke Organization Unite to Improve Stroke Care
Philips and the World Stroke Organization (WSO) are calling for faster, fairer access to proven stroke treatments. Their joint push is a clear signal to policymakers and health leaders: reform stroke care so more people can reach lifesaving therapies when minutes matter.
Policy Priorities to Raise the Standard of Care
In a new policy paper, Philips (NYSE: PHG) and WSO set out practical steps to reshape how stroke care is organized and funded. The paper underscores the need for smart policy and sustained investment in specialized stroke centers—so patients see better outcomes and health systems spend less in the long run.
A central theme is speed. Mechanical thrombectomy—a procedure that physically removes the clot causing an ischemic stroke—can transform outcomes when delivered quickly. Yet many eligible patients don’t receive it in time, or at all. Closing that gap is a priority threaded throughout the recommendations.
The Global Burden of Stroke
Stroke remains one of the world’s most pressing health crises. Each year, approximately 12 million people experience a stroke, leading to profound disability and loss of life. The toll is not limited to older adults; more young people are affected than many realize, widening the impact across age groups and families.
The economic cost is also immense. Direct and indirect effects are estimated at around USD 900 billion annually. With populations aging and risk factors on the rise, those costs—and the human impact behind them—are projected to climb unless systems act decisively.
Confronting Unequal Access to Treatment
The policy paper highlights a hard truth: access to high-quality stroke care varies widely across regions. Treatments have advanced and the science is strong, but uneven funding and resources often stand between patients and the care they need.
To reduce these inequities, WSO and Philips propose a six-point approach to strengthen stroke care systems end to end. The plan centers on clear quality goals, targeted investment in core services, and the training required to respond rapidly when a stroke strikes.
Six Key Interventions
The proposed interventions include:
1. Defining measurable targets and quality indicators for stroke care.
2. Funding essential infrastructure, including stroke units and thrombolysis services.
3. Expanding advanced services, with a focus on mechanical thrombectomy.
4. Building skills and capacity across the healthcare workforce.
5. Establishing reimbursement models that cover essential and advanced care.
6. Planning and tracking system-wide cost savings from effective implementation.
Time Is Brain: Act Without Delay
The saying “Time is brain” is more than a slogan. In stroke care, every minute without treatment can mean irreversible loss of brain function. Speed to diagnosis, speed to treatment—those are the levers that change outcomes.
Investing in advanced stroke care and aligning with WHO guidelines helps clinicians deliver the right treatment at the right time. Mechanical thrombectomy, when performed quickly, can sharply limit the damage from major ischemic strokes and improve the chances of recovery.
Working Together to Move Faster
Philips and WSO are urging a coordinated approach that brings together healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities. The goal is to build awareness, focus resources, and put sustainable solutions in place so more people can access high-quality stroke care when it matters most.
Professor Sheila Martins, President of the WSO, underscores the case for investing in acute stroke care. Doing so meaningfully reduces the burden on individuals and on society—fewer complications, fewer long hospital stays, and more people returning to their daily lives.
Why Effective Stroke Care Matters
Stronger stroke systems support patients and the professionals who care for them. When proven treatments are available and accessible, health services run more efficiently, recovery improves, and the wider economy benefits. The thread running through it all is the same: time is brain, and preparedness protects it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Philips and the WSO asking for?
They’re advocating for policies and investments that expand timely access to proven stroke treatments, especially through specialized stroke centers and services.
Why is mechanical thrombectomy emphasized?
It’s a clot-removal procedure for major ischemic strokes that can significantly improve outcomes when delivered quickly—yet many eligible patients still don’t receive it in time.
How big is the global stroke burden?
About 12 million people have a stroke each year. The associated direct and indirect costs are estimated at around USD 900 billion annually.
What are the six interventions being proposed?
They cover quality targets, core infrastructure, advanced services like mechanical thrombectomy, workforce development, reimbursement models, and planning for cost savings through effective delivery.
How do these changes help patients and health systems?
Faster, reliable access to evidence-based care improves recovery, eases pressure on hospitals and clinics, and supports economic stability by reducing avoidable costs.
