Johnson & Johnson MedTech Launches Stroke Treatment Empowerment Program to Advance Standardized Stroke Care and Support Common Prosperity in China

"Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment Capacity Improvement Project" Officially Launched by the National Health Commission Hospital Management Research Institute

FuzhouSeptember 3, 2022PR Newswire -- Today, the "Stroke Treatment Empowerment Program (STEP)" initiated by the National Health Commission Hospital Management Research Institute and supported by Johnson & Johnson MedTech was officially launched. This program aims to significantly enhance the overall capabilities of middle-aged and young doctors, as well as municipal and county-level medical centers, in serving stroke patients and improving the diagnosis and treatment of acute and severe stroke cases, allowing a wide range of patients to access convenient, available, and high-quality medical resources. Additionally, the program will actively explore clinical research and evidence accumulation in stroke treatment to promote the standardization and normalization of stroke diagnosis and treatment in China, providing "protection" for millions of stroke patients.

"Launch Ceremony of the Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment Capacity Improvement Project" Group Photo

In 2021, Johnson & Johnson announced its support for China’s goal of advancing "Common Prosperity" through three major strategies and six key initiatives, helping to build a "health defense line" for "Common Prosperity." The launch of the "Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment Capacity Enhancement Project" is yet another significant step by Johnson & Johnson to support "Common Prosperity" and promote the health and well-being of the people. This project adopts a standardized and systematic model for developing neurointerventional talent, utilizing a closed-loop training mechanism that integrates "teaching, learning, competition, and research" to support the growth and development of healthcare professionals. In its first year, the project is expected to cover 50 hospitals and reach 300 mid-career and young doctors and healthcare workers.

Stroke, commonly known as "apoplexy," is a disease caused by brain tissue damage due to blocked or ruptured cerebral blood vessels, which prevents smooth blood flow to the brain. According to the "China Stroke Prevention and Treatment Report 2020," stroke is the leading cause of death and disability among Chinese adults. The number of current stroke patients in China ranks highest in the world.¹"The Healthy China 2030" Plan Outline further incorporates early diagnosis and treatment of major cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke into routine clinical practice, strengthening comprehensive prevention and treatment of stroke. Reducing the harm caused by stroke is now an urgent priority.

Whether timely and appropriate treatment can be received after the onset of stroke is the key to improving the cure rate and reducing the mortality and disability rate. "The characteristics of stroke, such as its onset features, treatment time window, and localized treatment, determine that grassroots hospitals need a large number of high-tech neurointerventional doctors to provide high-level treatment services for a wide range of stroke patients," said Ye Quanfu, Director of the Hospital Management Research Institute of the National Health Commission. "The ‘Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment Capacity Enhancement Project’ launched today implements the spirit of the ‘Healthy China 2030’ Plan Outline, further strengthening comprehensive stroke prevention and treatment efforts, reducing the harm caused by stroke, and safeguarding the health rights of the people. It will enhance the ability of more grassroots hospitals to respond to stroke, securing precious treatment time for patients."

Professor Jianmin Liu, Director of the Cerebrovascular Disease Center at Shanghai Changhai Hospital, stated: "We hope that hospitals at all levels can form a closed-loop care system covering the ‘entire life cycle’ of stroke patients through the ‘Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment Capability Enhancement Project,’ from establishing green channels for emergency stroke treatment, integrating pre-hospital emergency care, specialized treatment, to post-discharge management. This will enable doctors in municipal hospitals and county-level medical centers across China to learn and master standardized responses to acute stroke, saving more patients' lives."

Data from the "2019 China Health and Wellness Statistical Abstract" shows that in 2018, the proportion of deaths caused by cerebrovascular diseases among Chinese residents exceeded 20%, meaning that at least one out of every five deaths was due to stroke.²For patients with acute stroke, it is crucial to utilize innovative technologies for rapid and precise treatment.

"Johnson & Johnson MedTech has been deeply engaged in the field of neurointervention for stroke for over a decade, consistently committed to safeguarding the lives of stroke patients through high-quality innovation and comprehensive, diverse products and solutions. We look forward to the 'Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment Capacity Enhancement Project' actively connecting neurointerventional doctors from first-tier hospitals to train doctors at municipal and county-level medical centers, improving their treatment philosophies and surgical techniques. This initiative will support the further refinement of China’s tiered medical treatment system and boost the vigorous development of China’s neurointerventional field, ultimately benefiting more patients," said Dr. Chen Xi, General Manager of the Cardiovascular and Specialty Solutions Division of Johnson & Johnson MedTech in China.

For many years, Johnson & Johnson MedTech has continuously supported the government and collaborated with all parties to accelerate the availability of quality medical resources in various disease areas. These include training programs for diagnosis and treatment capabilities in cerebral hemorrhage, stroke, and cardiovascular disease interventions, as well as community healthcare service improvement projects in mental health, geriatric diseases, and more. Recently, the "Torch Plan," initiated by the National Health Commission's Hospital Management Research Institute and supported by Johnson & Johnson MedTech, was officially launched. This initiative aims to enhance the fundamental surgical skills of healthcare workers. In the future, Johnson & Johnson will continue to expedite the introduction and localization of innovative products while actively supporting frontline empowerment, enabling more ordinary people to access high-quality, diversified medical services, and jointly building a shared prosperity.

Chinese Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases, February 18, 2022, Vol. 19, No. 2
2. Chin J Cerebrovasc Dis, May 18, 2020, Vol. 17, No. 5May 18, 2020, Vol. 17, No.5;