Stroke was the third leading cause of death in the Philippines in both 2024 and 2025, and health groups say its toll on patients, families and livelihoods extends well beyond the hospital stay.

The warning came during “Dagok ng Stroke sa Pilipino,” a press briefing held ahead of World Stroke Day by the APAC Stroke Policy Alliance (ASPA) and the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI), with the support of Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines.

Representatives from the World Stroke Organization (WSO), the Stroke Society of the Philippines (SSP), Beyond Stroke PH of the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO), and the ANGELS Initiative of Boehringer Ingelheim took part, representing the global stroke community, healthcare professionals, patient advocates and health system partners working to strengthen stroke care.

Stroke by the numbers

• No. 3: Cerebrovascular diseases ranked third among the country’s leading causes of death in 2024 and 2025
• 156,000+: New stroke cases in the Philippines each year
• 1.2 million+: Filipinos living with the effects of stroke
• 72,000+: Stroke-related deaths in 2023, based on Global Burden of Disease estimates

A financial burden that outlasts the hospital stay

An unpublished cost-of-illness analysis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the Philippines estimates the disease’s 15-year economic burden at approximately ₱416.52 billion.

The burden grows when stroke results in disability. Annual management costs, inclusive of rehabilitation, are estimated at:

• Approximately ₱240,400 for independent survivors
• Approximately ₱739,000 for dependent survivors who require caregiver support

These costs reflect not only healthcare needs, but also the time and income that patients and families may lose as they adapt to life after stroke.

Faster treatment, potential savings

For some patients with acute ischemic stroke, a treatment called thrombolysis can help restore blood flow by breaking up a blood clot blocking blood flow to the brain. Because it must be given within a limited time window, timely access is critical.

The analysis estimated that expanding timely access to thrombolysis among eligible patients could generate around ₱687.58 million in potential savings over 15 years, largely by reducing long-term disability and productivity losses.

The finding shows that timely treatment can affect not only health outcomes, but also the long-term financial burden on patients, families and society.

Know the signs: B.E. F.A.S.T.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, either by a blocked blood vessel (ischemic stroke) or a bleed in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). Brain cells can become damaged, making stroke a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

It can cause sudden changes in how a person moves, speaks, sees or maintains balance. Recognizing the warning signs and seeking emergency care quickly can make a critical difference.

• B (Balance): Sudden loss of balance or coordination
• E (Eyes): Sudden changes in vision
• F (Face): One side of the face may droop or feel numb
• A (Arm): Sudden weakness or numbness, especially on one side
• S (Speech): Sudden slurred speech or difficulty speaking or understanding
• T (Time): Every minute counts. Seek emergency medical care immediately

What the National Stroke Policy means

The National Policy Framework on the Prevention, Control and Management of Acute Stroke in the Philippines, established through Department of Health Administrative Order No. 2020-0059, provides a national framework for strengthening stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.

It calls for standardized stroke protocols, stronger referral pathways, trained healthcare workers, Acute Stroke Ready Hospitals (ASRH) and collaboration across sectors. In practical terms, its priorities translate to:

• Stronger stroke systems of care: A more coordinated journey from stroke onset to treatment and recovery
• Timely access to care: Less time lost between recognizing symptoms and receiving appropriate treatment
• Stronger referral pathways: Faster transfer to facilities equipped to provide appropriate stroke care
• Stroke-ready hospitals: Greater capacity to assess and manage stroke, including access to appropriate emergency treatment
• Multisector collaboration: Government, healthcare professionals, hospitals, communities and other partners working together to strengthen stroke care

The policy becomes meaningful when it helps more patients reach appropriate stroke care faster and supports better outcomes for patients and families.

Every minute counts

The longer blood flow to the brain is disrupted, the greater the risk of brain damage and lasting disability. From recognizing warning signs and seeking emergency care to reaching an appropriate facility and receiving treatment, every step can affect outcomes.

Strengthening stroke care requires coordination across government, healthcare professionals and medical societies, patient and civil society organizations, hospitals, communities and the private sector. Together, these stakeholders can help strengthen early recognition, emergency response, referral pathways, stroke-ready hospitals and continuity of care.

Every minute matters in stroke care because every patient has a life beyond emergency. Timely access to appropriate care can help more Filipinos achieve better outcomes and reduce the lasting impact on patients, families and livelihoods.