Essential Information on Stroke Medical Assistance
Medical treatment for acute strokes in Ukraine is provided free of charge under the national health program.
Patients requiring inpatient care receive it at no cost if they are brought in by emergency medical teams, referred from other healthcare facilities, or if they present themselves in critical condition.
In Odessa, three multidisciplinary hospitals that have contracts with the National Health Service of Ukraine offer stroke assistance — these are hospitals No. 1, No. 10, and No. 11.
Treatment for stroke patients includes initial examinations by neurologists or neurosurgeons, as well as neuroimaging performed within 60 minutes of the patient's arrival at the hospital.
The hospitals in Odessa that treat strokes are equipped with CT scanners. Modern angiographers are also available at hospitals No. 10 and No. 11.
The guaranteed package of free medical assistance for stroke includes: monitoring health indicators, anesthesia support, thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke, round-the-clock laboratory tests, and instrumental examinations such as CT scans and ultrasounds.
Rehabilitation should begin as soon as possible after hospitalization. Within the first 72 hours, consultations with speech therapists or psychologists are conducted.
Rehabilitation services for stroke patients are provided by hospitals No. 1, No. 10, No. 11, No. 8, and the consultative diagnostic center No. 29.
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The success of treatment for acute stroke largely depends on how quickly the patient is transported to the hospital and receives specialized medical assistance. Understanding how to recognize a stroke is crucial.
Signs of a stroke can be remembered using the acronym BRAIN:
- Speech: slurred or confused speech;
- Face: sudden facial asymmetry;
- Balance: loss of balance or coordination;
- Eyes: sudden vision problems;
- Limbs: sudden weakness or numbness, typically on one side.
If a stroke is suspected, immediately call emergency services at 103! Timely action can save a life.
