NETHERLANDS – Health technology leader Royal Philips and neurovascular innovator Medtronic Neurovascular have entered into a strategic partnership focused on stroke care advocacy.
This collaboration will spotlight the health and economic benefits of early diagnosis and timely treatment, aiming to reduce the global burden of stroke—a condition that affects over 15 million people each year.
Both companies have expanded their engagement with the World Stroke Organization (WSO) through the new WSO Advocacy Coalition, uniting healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and policymakers to tackle this critical healthcare issue.
Philips and Medtronic’s involvement with the WSO Advocacy Coalition reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to quality stroke care worldwide.
The coalition serves as a platform for various stakeholders to develop and implement policies that address stroke’s rising incidence and immense healthcare costs, which currently exceed US $900 billion annually and are expected to nearly double within 25 years.
“Our collaboration with Medtronic and the WSO underscores our dedication to advancing stroke care,” said Carla Goulart Peron, Chief Medical Officer at Philips.
“Using advanced technologies and a collective approach, we aim to make timely care accessible to stroke patients everywhere.”
Addressing the growing need for stroke-ready facilities
A primary focus of the Philips-Medtronic partnership is advocating for a global network of stroke-ready hospitals capable of delivering end-to-end care, from diagnosis through rehabilitation.
The partnership between Philips and Medtronic centers on a strategy focused on three critical areas: raising public awareness, improving treatment accessibility, and leveraging advanced technology.
A key goal of the initiative is to educate communities on recognizing stroke symptoms early, underscoring the need for immediate medical care to improve patient outcomes.
To enhance accessibility to treatment, the coalition is working to increase the number of specialized stroke-ready hospitals while equipping healthcare professionals with training in advanced interventions, such as mechanical thrombectomy, ensuring patients worldwide have better access to timely, quality care.
Additionally, Philips and Medtronic are committed to integrating cutting-edge digital health solutions, including advanced imaging, to create a comprehensive stroke care framework.
This technology-driven approach aims to support early diagnosis, optimize treatment efficacy, and enable continuous post-care monitoring within hospitals, making the entire stroke care process more efficient and effective.
“Stroke care is truly a race against time,” stated Signe Haughton, Chief of Staff and Senior Director of Medical & Government Affairs at Medtronic Neurovascular.
“Our partnership with Philips allows us to accelerate access to critical treatments, while we continue to advocate for investment in global stroke care infrastructure.”
Showcasing Collaboration at World Stroke Congress 2023
This advocacy partnership was a focal point at the World Stroke Congress from October 23-26 in Abu Dhabi.
Philips and Medtronic co-hosted a Stroke Advocacy roundtable to highlight their efforts and discuss best practices with global health leaders.
Their combined presence at international platforms, including the United Nations General Assembly and the World Health Assembly, has consistently emphasized the need for sustained investments in stroke care infrastructure and supportive policy frameworks.
By partnering with the World Stroke Organization, Philips and Medtronic Neurovascular aim to establish a global standard for integrated stroke care.
