Riga is the first capital city in the world to be awarded the status of "Angels Region" – an international recognition of regions where stroke care is delivered at the highest quality, improving the entire "stroke pathway" – from public awareness and symptom recognition to emergency response and the readiness of healthcare facilities to provide timely and appropriate treatment. This status recognises focused, coordinated and united work between institutions involved in saving lives and improving rehabilitation opportunities for patients.
"Stroke is a disease in which rapid detection and care are crucial for life. In Latvia, we have excellent medics, ambulances and hospitals, but we have shortcomings in recognising this disease. The initiative to bring the knowledge of how to recognise a stroke into society through children is very welcome – pre-school and primary school children learn in a playful way to identify the signs of stroke and become superheroes for their grandparents, mums, dads, other relatives, friends and virtually anyone else. Riga has achieved the status of an Angel Region thanks to the fact that this school year almost 20 schools in Riga joined the programme and more than 1200 children were educated about the signs of stroke. This is a good start and we will go further by involving even more schools," says Riga Deputy Mayor Vilnis Ķirsis.
On Monday, January 19, Riga City Council, in collaboration with Angels Initiatives, hosted an awards ceremony to honour partners in healthcare, emergency care and education, highlighting their contribution to the development of the stroke care system and public education.
The awards ceremony included speeches and informative presentations on the development of stroke care and the importance of collaboration, as well as the presentation of certificates and expressions of gratitude to organisations that have made a significant contribution to achieving Angels Region status. The programme also included insights into public education initiatives, including the school education programme "Ā.T.R.I. Heroes", which raises awareness about the signs of stroke and the need for early action. The educational programme "Ā.T.R.I. Heroes" was represented by Mežciems Primary School, which was the most active participant in the Riga municipality. The role of the Emergency Medical Service, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and medical institutions in ensuring the quickest possible care and treatment was also highlighted.
Riga Local Government emphasises that receiving the "Angels Region" status is a significant achievement both in the development of the healthcare system and in the safety and well-being of the residents of Riga. Stroke is one of the most common causes of serious health complications and mortality, so public awareness, early recognition of symptoms and coordinated action are crucial to saving lives and preserving quality of life.
More information: Laura Frinberga-Tuklere, Riga Investment and Tourism Agency, e-mail: Laura.Frinberga@riga.lv
Information was prepared by Mārtiņš Vilemsons, Project Coordinator at External Communication Division of Riga City Council Communication Department, e-mail: martins.vilemsons@riga.lv.
