“This means that, despite having a region that is normally considered to have a lack of medical care, we are the best organised to treat stroke cases,” said the president of the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL), António Miguel Pina.

The Angels award was presented at a ceremony held in Faro, which highlighted the fact that the Algarve has been, since 2024, the first Angels region in Portugal and the second in Europe.

“Yes, the people of the Algarve are better protected now [against stroke], but we still have to raise awareness among them to do their part in preventing this disease,” said the mayor of Olhão.

According to the organisation ‘Angels’, responsible for the award, the region’s recognition in the detection and treatment of stroke cases “reflects the achievement of important milestones in the Algarve in terms of quality, coordination and involvement of all those involved in the care and treatment” of this disease.

“We are delighted with this distinction because the Algarve region also needs to have good news. There are things that are done well in the region”, highlighted Ana Marreiros, from the Algarve Local Health Unit (ULS).

According to the person in charge, it is necessary to continue working to improve stroke survival rates, despite the ‘Angels’ award recognising the commitment of public entities in the Algarve, mainly in the health sector, in the fight against the disease.

Stroke is the main cause of death and/or disability in Portugal, and it is estimated that one in four people will have to face this in their lifetime. Figures revealed during the ceremony indicate that in the Algarve region there are an average of 1,300 strokes occurring each year.

The ULS of Algarve, AMAL and the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM) are the main entities that have joined forces in the fight against the disease, but other organisations have joined this objective.

Around 20 schools across the Algarve already have stroke awareness classes, but the aim is to expand the initiative to all educational establishments in the region.

The Ria Formosa School was the first to join the ‘Fast Heroes’ project, with two dozen students from this establishment explaining how they pass on to their elders what they learn in class.

The students present assured that they are now better prepared to detect signs of a stroke, such as a person with weakness on one side of the body, with changes or loss of vision or difficulty speaking.

Once symptoms are detected, you must quickly call 112 to alert them to the need for assistance.