Pretoria hospital recognised by World Stroke Organisation
The Pretoria hospital has maintained WSO Angels Diamond Status for three consecutive years while expanding the use of technology and specialist support in stroke treatment.
The Steve Biko Academic Hospital’s stroke programme is helping patients access quicker treatment, with brain imaging now taking about 18 to 26 minutes after arrival, according to the Gauteng Department of Health.
The Pretoria hospital has been recognised by the World Stroke Organisation (WSO) through Angels Accreditation as an Essential Stroke Centre, making it the first public healthcare facility in South Africa to receive recognition.
The recognition acknowledges the hospital’s ability to provide stroke care aligned with international standards, including rapid diagnosis, timely treatment, patient safety and continuous quality improvement.
The hospital has also maintained WSO Angels Diamond Status for three consecutive years.
The department said the reduced time to brain imaging forms a co-ordinated stroke pathway designed to support faster treatment decisions, particularly because delays in stroke care can increase the risk of permanent disability.
The hospital has expanded access to thrombolysis and advanced stroke imaging. Clinical research involving more than 600 patients with acute ischaemic stroke found that those who received thrombolysis were about 69% more likely to achieve an excellent functional outcome, while the symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage rate was about 3.3%.
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It has introduced telemedicine, artificial intelligence-assisted imaging and remote specialist consultations. Over a recent 17-month period, more than 1 000 stroke-related scans were made available for remote specialist review, with access successfully achieved in about 92% of cases.
Steve Biko Hospital is now sharing its expertise with other public healthcare facilities in Gauteng through education, mentorship, protocol development and telehealth initiatives, according to the department.
Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Faith Mazibuko, said: “Their success demonstrates that our public healthcare institutions are capable of delivering highly specialised care that meets international standards and changes lives.”
Professor Mandisa Kakaza, Head of Neurology at the hospital, said the achievement reflected the work of its multidisciplinary teams.
“We have built an integrated stroke service that combines clinical expertise, advanced technology, continuous education and quality improvement,” said Kakaza.
She added that the recognition was linked to improved patient outcomes.
“This recognition translates into better patient outcomes, reduced disability and improved quality of life for the communities we serve,” said Kakaza.
Teams in Emergency Medicine, Radiology, Nursing, Rehabilitation Services and Critical Care support the programme, working alongside the Neurology Department.
The department said the milestone follows years of work focused on innovation, collaboration and patient outcomes, while the Diamond Status reflects sustained adherence to key international quality indicators.
Mazibuko said the accreditation was also significant for access to specialised care in the province.
“This accreditation reflects progress in strengthening specialised healthcare services across Gauteng and means more stroke patients have access to timely, life-saving treatment,” said Mazibuko.
Kakaza said the recognition reflected the commitment and collaboration of the teams involved in caring for stroke patients.
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