Stroke affects around 700 patients a year across Malta and Gozo. Key to a successful outcome is immediate treatment and dedicated rehabilitation care.

Immediate treatment is provided by Mater Dei Hospital, where in appropriate cases a stroke can potentially be avoided due to the innovative stroke retrieval treatment.  On the other hand, the newly established stroke ward at Karin Grech Hospital comes as a response by VGH for continued care for stroke patients. 

"In Malta patients having suffered a stroke are admitted to Mater Dei Hospital for acute care management. What the patient will then need is dedicated rehabilitation care to start relearning some of the skills lost when suffering a stroke," explained Karin Grech Hospital CEO Dr Stephen Zammit.

Studies show how patients who receive specially designed stroke care in a specialized unit are more likely to recover from the stroke and regain their independence. Rehabilitation helps stroke survivors relearn skills lost when part of the brain is damaged. These can include basic movements like coordinating leg movements to walk or a complex activity like getting dressed.

With a dedicated interdisciplinary team of professionals, a fully equipped gym and the latest medical innovative technologies, stroke patients in Malta now have a much better chance for positive results and outcomes.

"Partners HealthCare International is playing a big role in all of this, having helped train some of our clinicians in Boston and visiting regularly to collaborate and share knowledge and experience. We're very proud of the work done in order for us to be able to launch this new dedicated service. Although the infrastructural improvement and the new equipment is instrumental to providing better care, what we are mostly proud of is the clinical approach taken to improve our patient offering."

Randie M. Black-Schaffer, M.D., M.A., Medical Director, Stroke Program; Director, Stroke Research and Recovery Institute from Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital explained, "In a dedicated stroke rehabilitation unit, treatment is intensive.  Stroke survivors also have the benefit of being in an environment where others are dealing with similar issues so there is a community of support."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health, Mr Chris Fearne, visited patients at the ward and explained how this was a good example of how PPP projects can work in a way that the whole system benefits. "Stroke patients will now be transferred more efficiently to Karin Grech Hospital, allowing Mater Dei to focus more on acute care, shortening waiting times and giving a better service to patients all round."