A World Stroke Day celebration at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Ho Chi Minh City drew some of the country’s top experts who shared valuable insights on stroke prevention and emergency response strategies with members of the public.
The stroke unit at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy HCMC has to date won three WSO Angels diamond awards for excellence in stroke care. Their door-to-needle time is currently between 25 and 28 minutes, far exceeding the international standard of 60 minutes.
At the community awareness event on 19 October, distinguished speakers including Dr Nguyen Ba Thang, Dr Pham Thi Ngoc Quyen, Dr Dao Duy Khoa, and Dr Tran Quoc Tuan took to the podium to impart life-saving knowledge about a disease that affects about 200,000. Vietnamese per year.
From right to left: Ms. Trang Nguyen Angels Lead Vietnam, Dr. Quyen Pham, Dr. Tuan Tran, Dr. Ba Thang Nguyen, Dr. Khoa Dao, Ms. Uyen Vuong Angels Vietnam.
Dr Nguyen Ba Thang, who is head of the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy HCMC, explained that stroke was a critical medical condition requiring emergency care. He said, “very minute without prompt medical intervention results in irreversible damage to millions of brain cells. Consequently, time is the most crucial factor in stroke treatment, determining the patient's survival and ability to recover.”
Time is essential in stroke treatment. The sooner a stroke patient receives care, the greater their chances of survival and recovery. Although treatment windows are expanding, early intervention remains crucial.
When someone experiences stroke symptoms, immediate medical attention at a stroke-capable hospital is essential. In Vietnam, dialing 115 for emergency medical services is the most effective way to ensure timely treatment. For stroke patients with blood clots, prompt interventions such as intravenous medication and endovascular procedures to restore blood flow can significantly improve outcomes.
Alongside timely emergency care and treatment, stroke prevention was vital, Dr Pham Thi Ngoc Quyen, a senior specialist II in Neurology, said. Dr Quyen emphasized the importance of managing risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, obesity, and smoking. By adopting a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and routine health screenings, individuals could significantly reduce their risk of stroke, she said.
Ten days later, on World Stroke Day on 29 October, 200 people filled the lobby of University of Medicine and Pharmacy HCMC for another community awareness event held with the Angels Initiative and Thanh Nien Newspaper. On this occasion participants received valuable information about using the FAST acronym to recognize the signs of stroke, the importance of a timely response during the golden hour, and how to prevent stroke. Additionally, attendees received direct consultations about stroke from stroke specialists.
The event was live-streamed on the hospital's fanpage where it received more than 40,000 views. It also reached a large audience via three live-streamed episodes on Thanh Nien's platforms, including their fanpage, YouTube channel, TikTok and Thanh Nien Online.
In the coming year Angels Vietnam will continue to spread the World Stroke Organization’s message, “Together we are greater than stroke”, through a series of community awareness activities in partnership with the Xuyen A hospital group.
