Professor Michael Chopp, Scientific Director for the Neuroscience Institute at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit of the US, participated in the event.

The conference was also attended by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Xuyen, leading Vietnamese professors of neurology, cardio-vascular disease, geriatrics, and psychology, and nearly 1,000 doctors from Hanoi and northern provinces.

Participants listened to reports, examined ways to prevent stroke, give early treatment and post-stroke rehabilitation to patients, and discussed major advances in stroke treatment and prevention.

Stroke – a dangerous disease with adverse effects

Stroke, known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is the third leading cause of death and disability, after cancer and heart attack.

WSO President Stephen Davis says stroke affects 16 million people worldwide and kills approximately 6 million people annually. More than 80% of the incidence is reported in low- and middle-income economies like Vietnam.

Recent medical advances have helped to reduce the mortality rate caused by stroke, yet the number of patients with stroke-related disability has increased considerably over the years. Damage levels depend on when and how symptoms are discovered, diagnosed and treated.

In Vietnam most hospitals lack modern equipment to treat the disease due to limited financial capacity, preventing the diagnosis, treatment and management of stroke patients. People are poorly equipped with knowledge of CVA, therefore, many stroke patients are not hospitalised as soon as they show symptoms of the disease.

In addition, stroke patients often suffer a relapse, presenting with more severe symptoms than previously. Consequently, up to 90% of the patients suffer from after-effects, according to PhD Professor Le Van Thinh.

Although there have been no studies on treatment costs in Vietnam, stroke sufferers shoulder a financial burden on the family and society as a whole. Society loses a worker if there is a stroke patient with an average disability level. The family even needs a person to take care of a severely disabled patient. However, primary prevention and proper treatment can reduce the long term effects of the disease.

Better public awareness of stroke

To fight the disease effectively, it is essential to raise people’s awareness of stroke and train medical staff in diagnosis and treatment. Stroke is a preventable disease if people lead a healthy lifestyle, i.e. a balanced diet and daily physical exercises. People should also be aware of stroke symptoms to receive timely treatment. 

In addition, medical staff should keep abreast of scientific and technological advances in stroke treatment and care.

The Vietnam Ministry of Health and the World Stroke Organisation jointly carried out a clinical stroke treatment project between 2008 and 2011. The project, funded by Austria’s Ever Neuro Pharma, was undertaken in 58 provinces and cities across the country with the participation of renowned professors from the WSO and Vietnam.

A total of 8,596 doctors had benefitted from training and received certification from the WSO and the Ministry of Public Health of Vietnam. The success of the Vietnam project is considered an exemplary role model for other regional countries to follow.