KUCHING: Boehringer Ingelheim Malaysia has successfully concluded its nationwide Angels Initiative Roadshow on World Stroke Day, with its final event in Sabah recently.
Celebrated on Oct 29 annually, this initiative targeted raising stroke awareness and improving care across Malaysia.
Starting in mid-August in Serian, the roadshow featured health talks, educational booths, and the introduction of the FAST Heroes Programme.
In 2019, Malaysia recorded 47,911 stroke cases, resulting in 19,928 deaths. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the country. Challenging the misconception that strokes predominantly affect the elderly, the campaign highlighted that individuals aged 15 to 65, especially those with conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease, are also at risk.
“Regular exercise, a well-balanced diet, and stress management are crucial for stroke prevention,” said Dr. Mohd Azhar Ahmad, Head of Medicine at Boehringer Ingelheim Malaysia in a statement recently.
Meanwhile Malaysia Stroke Council president Associate Professor Hoo Fan Kee, emphasised the urgency of rapid response within the first 60 minutes following a stroke.
“Recognising symptoms and acting swiftly and effectively can be lifesaving,” he said.
The FAST Heroes Programme, involving 1,000 students from six schools, aimed to empower youths to respond effectively during stroke incidents. Partners for this initiative included Sarawak General Hospital, University Malaya Medical Centre, Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim, the National Stroke Association of Malaysia (NASAM), and others.
