The Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs represented by the SANG-Comprehensive Stroke Program participated in the World Stroke Day by organizing a Stroke Awareness Week from the 26th till the 30th of October 2014.
Dr. Ali Khathami, Director of SANG-Comprehensive Stroke Program in KAMC – Riyadh explained that Stroke is an epidemic serious disease that requires awareness and education on a permanent basis, hence the establishment of the stroke program at the NGHA in 2012, to be a Scientific Achievement Award-Winning leading program in the region. The program was established to achieve a number of key objectives, notably health promotion, disease prevention, emergency response and acute care, inpatients care (Quick Response Stroke Unit), rehabilitation and patient integration into society, along with quality improvement for research, stroke registry and training and health awareness programs.
Furthermore, Dr. Ali extended his appreciation towards H.E. Chief Executive Officer of Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs, President of King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Dr. Bandar Al Knawy for his continuous support in establishing the Comprehensive Stroke Program and its active members to achieve the desired results.
On another note, Internal Medicine Consultant and Head of Stroke Awareness Committee in KAMC-R, Dr. Amjad Al Searya pointed out that: “ stroke is one of the common rapid diseases infecting more than 15 million people and causing 5 million deaths around the world annually”. The Stroke Awareness Week activities included an awareness exhibit in which several specialized associations participated and offered the latest updates on stroke treatment and its effects. In addition, a number of educational lectures were presented in Dr. Sameer Bin Huraib Auditorium, Ministry of National Guard – Health Affairs’ Primary Healthcare Centers and Al Moltaqa Cultural Center.