News

Ahead of World Stroke Day on 29 October, two more Netcare hospitals have been internationally recognised for excellence in stroke care, becoming World Stroke Organization (WSO) certified Essential Stroke Centres. Together with the WSO, Netcare is urging everyone to take one minute to learn the signs of a stroke emergency.

According to the WSO, one in four people will experience a stroke in their lifetime. When the signs of stroke are recognised early and the correct medical treatment begins within hours, the harm can be minimised, preventing more severe brain injury or even death.

“We congratulate the multidisciplinary stroke teams at Netcare St Anne’s and Netcare uMhlanga hospitals on raising the standard of acute stroke care in KwaZulu-Natal. This prestigious certification represents a first for the province, and aligns these facilities with international best practice, making them comparable with some of the world’s top stroke centres,” says Zasskia Wiese, Netcare’s trauma programme manager and national stroke coordinator.
 
These latest WSO certifications strengthen the Netcare Group’s stroke care network, building on the certified Essential Stroke Centres at Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital in the Western Cape and Netcare Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg.

The World Stroke Organization has certified Netcare St Anne’s and Netcare uMhlanga hospitals as Essential Stroke Centres, strengthening acute stroke care in KwaZulu-Natal and expanding the Netcare Group’s certified stroke care network. Pictured are members of the multidisciplinary stroke teams from Netcare St Anne’s and Netcare uMhlanga hospitals.

 

Earlier this year Netcare Milpark Hospital became South Africa’s first World Stroke Organization certified Advanced Stroke Centre with the additional capacity to perform mechanical thrombectomies for major occlusive ischaemic strokes. The WSO Certification Committee reviews stroke care standards in hospitals worldwide. Certification is the culmination of years of meeting the WSO’s stringent requirements and submitting stroke care data to the Res-Q registry. To achieve certification, hospitals must demonstrate: Rapid assessment protocols that ensure patients receive treatment within a critical window of time Specialised stroke teams trained to international standards Advanced imaging capabilities and treatment options Comprehensive rehabilitation services Continuous quality monitoring and improvement systems

 

Both Netcare St Anne’s and Netcare uMhlanga hospitals have held WSO Angels Diamond Status Awards for excellence in emergency stroke care since 2024.

Mande Toubkin, Netcare’s general manager of emergency, trauma, transplant and corporate social investment, thanked the stroke teams at both hospitals for their dedication in achieving this level of international recognition.

“Consistent commitment to person centred stroke care aligned to the WSO’s evidence-based, data-driven international protocols is ensuring the highest standards in quality stroke care are on the doorstep for more communities in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, the Western Cape and surrounding provinces,” she says.

“Emergency stroke care can only be beneficial when someone nearby recognises the signs of a stroke early and seeks immediate medical attention for the patient, preferably at a recognised stroke centre. Everyone has a role in helping to achieve better stroke outcomes,” Toubkin concludes.

Learn the signs of stroke this World Stroke Day

Awareness of the immediate symptoms of stroke, supported by rapid, evidence-based treatment, directly affects a person’s chances of survival and regaining independence after a stroke.

“It’s easy to recognise the signs that someone is having a stroke by remembering to BE FAST,” says Zasskia Wiese, Netcare’s trauma programme manager and national stroke coordinator.

BE FAST for stroke
B is for ‘Balance’ – sudden difficulty maintaining balance.
E is for ‘Eyes’ – the person may experience problems with their vision, including loss of sight in one eye or blurred vision.

F is for ‘Face drooping’ – the facial muscles weaken, often causing asymmetry as one side of the face starts to droop.
A is for ‘Arm or leg weakness’ – the person may feel weakness or numbness in one or both arms or legs, usually on one side of the body. They may also have poor coordination with difficulty walking or standing up.
S is for ‘Speech difficulty’ – the person may slur words, use words incorrectly or be unable to speak.
T is for ‘Time’ – take note of the time the stroke began or was first noticed and call emergency medical services immediately, such as Netcare 911 on 082 911 or via the Netcare app.

Ends

Notes to editors
Experience seamless healthcare access with the Netcare app. Enjoy convenient healthcare anytime, anywhere, with expert medical care at your fingertips. Book appointments, consult with GPs virtually and manage pre-admissions all in one place. From emergency response services with geolocation to seamless
admission, discover a new level of care. Download the Netcare app today.

Alternatively, contact Netcare appointmed^TM on 0860 555 565, Mondays to Fridays, 08:00 to 17:00, or via the Netcare app to make an appointment with a therapist, doctor or specialist practising at a Netcare hospital, Netcare Medicross or Netcare Akeso facility near you.

For media enquiries, please contact MNA at the contact details listed below: