World Stroke Day: Morocco Launches a National Awareness Campaign Under the Slogan “Every Minute Counts”
In commemoration of World Stroke Day (AVC), celebrated on October 29, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection has launched a national awareness campaign that will run from October 29 to November 28, 2025, under the slogan: “Every Minute Counts.”
The aim of the campaign is to promote prevention, early detection, and rapid intervention to address this condition that affects thousands of Moroccans annually.
A Public Health Emergency
According to the latest estimates from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, 52,561 individuals experienced a stroke in Morocco in 2021, resulting in 36,508 fatalities, making stroke one of the leading causes of death in the kingdom. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that 15 million people suffer a stroke each year, with 6 million deaths, making it the second leading cause of cardiovascular-related deaths.
A Campaign Focused on Prevention
The national campaign emphasizes the management of risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and high cholesterol levels. Early detection programs will be implemented in primary healthcare facilities, accompanied by awareness sessions on warning signs of stroke, such as facial paralysis, speech difficulties, or sudden loss of strength on one side of the body.
The ministry stresses that timely intervention is critical in reducing complications and saving lives, as every minute can significantly decrease neurological damage.
A Preventable Disease in 90% of Cases
Despite the severity of the issue, experts indicate that about 90% of stroke cases can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle and regular medical follow-up. A national study conducted by the ministry in 2022 found that 4,000 ischemic stroke cases are directly linked to smoking, resulting in an estimated treatment cost of $3,688 per patient annually.
A Renewed International Commitment
This national initiative is part of international commitments reaffirmed during the fourth United Nations high-level meeting on non-communicable diseases, held on September 25, 2025, where member states, including Morocco, renewed their commitment to enhancing the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases, focusing on early detection and rapid treatment of stroke.
