Breaking Down Barriers: Merz Therapeutics and World Stroke Foundation Unite for Groundbreaking ‘Access to Health’ Initiative
This project, which aims to fight inequalities in health care in low and middle income countries, will start with two pilot projects in Nigeria and Tanzania.
At this event, project managers from all over the world came together to talk about the next steps and the strategic direction of this innovative partnership. “We are extremely proud to be part of a mission that can make a tangible difference in the lives of stroke victims in underserved communities,” said Stefan König, CEO of Merz Therapeutics. “Our collaboration with the World Stroke Foundation will allow us to expand access to stroke care in areas where healthcare infrastructure is still limited”
The initiative aims to address critical issues facing stroke care in these high incidence areas, particularly among young people. The incidence of stroke in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to increase dramatically, with an annual incidence rate of 316 cases per 100,000 people and a three-year mortality rate above 80%. The lack of awareness among the population, the inadequacy of rehabilitation centers and the shortage of health professionals exacerbates the crisis1.
Pilot programs in Nigeria and Tanzania
In Nigeria, the initiative will focus primarily on strengthening stroke treatment capacity by improving the training of neurologists and healthcare professionals. This will include the development of comprehensive training modules with the intention of improving post-stroke rehabilitation programmes. The aim is to increase the capacity of staff to provide first class stroke care and rehabilitation.
In Tanzania, the initiative will focus on improving patient access to stroke care services in low resource settings. Building on existing actions led by the WSO, Merz Therapeutics will provide strategic support to further develop the stroke care infrastructure, particularly by supporting hospital stroke care units. Merz Therapeutics’ goal is to improve patient outcomes by connecting with local health care providers to enable comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for underserved communities.
Creating sustainable solutions for healthcare
Launched in 2023, the Access to Health initiative is part of Merz Therapeutics’ broader strategy to reduce healthcare inequities in LMICs through healthcare professional training, patient outreach, strategic partnerships and employee volunteerism. By collaborating with the WSO, Merz Therapeutics aims to establish scalable healthcare models that can be replicated globally, ensuring that everyone, regardless of geographic or economic barriers, has access to quality medical care.
“Our long-term goal is to create sustainable, scalable healthcare improvements that can transform stroke care in these regions and beyond,” said Stefan Albrecht, chief scientific and medical officer of Merz Therapeutics. “This initiative shows our commitment to making health care more equal and accessible to all. »
At the annual World Stroke Congress in Abu Dhabi, the President of the World Stroke Organization (WSO), Dr Sheila Martins, officially announced a partnership with Merz Therapeutics to launch the ‘Access to Health’ initiative. This project, which focuses on addressing health care disparities in low and middle income countries (LMICs), will begin with two pilot projects in Nigeria and Tanzania.
During the event, project leaders from all over the world gathered to discuss the next steps and the strategic direction of this innovative partnership. “We are extremely proud to be part of a mission that can make a tangible difference in the lives of stroke survivors in underserved communities,” said Stefan König, CEO of Merz Therapeutics. “Our collaboration with the World Stroke Foundation will enable us to expand access to much-needed stroke care in regions where healthcare infrastructure is still limited.”
The initiative aims to address the critical issues facing stroke care in these regions, where the incidence of stroke is high, particularly among younger populations. The incidence of stroke in sub-Saharan Africa is predicted to increase dramatically, with an annual incidence rate of 316 cases per 100,000 people and a 3-year mortality rate of more than 80%. Limited public awareness, inadequate rehabilitation facilities, and a shortage of healthcare professionals further exacerbate the crisis1.
Pilot Programs in Nigeria and Tanzania
In Nigeria, the initiative will focus on building capacity in stroke care by improving the education and training of neurologists and healthcare professionals. This will include the development of comprehensive educational modules designed to enhance stroke rehabilitation programmes. The aim is to expand the capacity of the workforce to deliver world-class stroke management and rehabilitation.
In Tanzania, the initiative will focus on improving patient access to stroke care services in low resource settings. Building on the existing efforts led by the WSO, Merz Therapeutics will offer strategic support to further develop stroke care infrastructure, specifically by supporting stroke units in hospitals. Merz Therapeutics aims to improve patient outcomes by consulting with local health care providers to enable comprehensive and multidisciplinary care for underserved communities.
Creating Sustainable Healthcare Solutions
Launched in 2023, the Access to Health initiative is part of Merz Therapeutics’ broader strategy to reduce healthcare disparities in LMICs through healthcare professional training, patient education, strategic partnerships, and employee volunteerism. By collaborating with the WSO, Merz Therapeutics aims to establish scalable healthcare models that can be replicated globally, ensuring that everyone, regardless of geographic or economic barriers, has access to high quality medical care.
“Our long-term goal is to create sustainable, scalable healthcare improvements that can transform stroke care in these regions and beyond,” said Stefan Albrecht, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer of Merz Therapeutics. “This initiative embodies our commitment to making healthcare more equitable and accessible for all.”