WCN 2021 | Improving stroke care in Brazil

Sheila Martins, MD, PhD, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil, talks on recent initiatives to improve stroke care in Brazil. Firstly, the certification of stroke centers in Brazil was initiated to increase the number of stroke centers. In addition, comprehensive stroke centers that can perform thrombectomy will soon start being implemented. There are also several initiatives focused on improving the quality of primary care, including a program funded by the Ministry of Health to enhance stroke prevention by training primary healthcare professionals to identify patients in need of treatment. In addition, a study was recently started to evaluate whether patients with low and middle risk of stroke could benefit from a polypill and dyslipidemia treatment. Finally, the World Stroke Organisation is launching a program to reduce the incidence of stroke using a free application teaching patients about the risks of stroke, as well as risk factors increasing the risk of stroke and how to modify them. This interview took place during the XXV World Congress of Neurology.