[ em inglês ] Initiatives that make a difference: Inform – Prevent. World Stroke Day falls on the 29th of October each year. It has been marked as a day of global action and awareness of stroke and its burden on millions of people worldwide, directly or indirectly affected. It is also the perfect day to focus on campaigns that aim to have an impact by influencing policies towards a further improvement of the stroke care system. Many regions across Europe have joined the cause by organizing events to raise awareness on stroke. In Spain, informative events and initiatives took place in Catalonia, Community of Madrid, Seville, Navarra and Valencia.
This year we were more than pleased to see that many initiatives took place across Europe promoting prevention and raising awareness on stroke key factors. A very special event day was organized by our partners from Miguel Servet Foundation – Navarrabiomed (Spain) on World Stroke Day. They opened its doors to the public, giving it the opportunity to participate in open talks on stroke, get informed on stroke risk factors and the alarming signs. The nursing staff, in collaboration with the dietary unit, performed tests for blood glucose, blood pressure, abdominal weight, perimeter controls and offered individualized health education advice. The Rehabilitation Service physiotherapists presented physical exercise workshops and two resident neurologists performed doppler examinations.
Miguel Servet Foundation – Navarrabiomed is the biomedical research centre of the Government of Navarre and the Public University of Navarra that promotes and facilitates the research of public healthcare professionals. As an average, at the Hospital Complex of Navarra there are over 40.000 admissions per year, 33.000 chirurgical interventions and more than 750.000 medical consultations. They pursue a common aim: to be at the forefront of knowledge in order to obtain and implement new therapies and treatments to improve the well-being of citizens as part of a sustainable health system.
Both centres participate in comparative studies for a more thorough understanding of stroke care, on knowledge transfer to health policies, as well as on good practices exchange and peer learning. The neurologist and stroke specialist, Maria Herrera, is the coordinator of ICTUSnet in Navarre.