IFI Foundation receives the WSO ‘Highly Commended’ award for its impactful Spot Stroke Save Lives campaign. Learn more about stroke prevention and emergency response
OdishaPlus Bureau
- ‘Highly Commended’ Award for ‘Best Campaign in a Low and Middle Income Country’ Category
- Brain Stroke has become a major public health challenge globally, demanding urgent policy action
- World Stroke Day is observed to promote education on stroke prevention, response and rehabilitation
Odisha-based IFI Foundation has been globally recognised by the World Stroke Organisation (WSO) for its wide and impactful public health outreach campaign during World Stroke Day 2025. WSO announced the names of the awardees recently appreciating the collective action of stroke support organisations and individuals in the prevention and management of stroke.
IFI has been honoured with a ‘Highly Commended’ award in the category of ‘Best Campaign in a Low and Middle Income Country’ for its sustained efforts under “Spot Stroke Save Lives” initiative.
While congratulating IFI on the feat, Professor Jeyaraj Pandian, WSO President lauded the Foundation’s high quality communications content, supported by strong media distribution and clear alignment with Global WSO #ActFAST symptom recognition campaign during the said year.
Further the WSO has highlighted IFI’s campaign in its website as a ‘Strong multi-platform communication campaign in Odisha State, founded in good understanding of communication needs of the audience, high quality content and excellent use of social and digital media.’
A total of 4 stroke support organisations and one individual have been nominated globally for the awards by WSO under various categories.
The recognition celebrates IFI Foundation’s continuous efforts since 2023 in building community awareness on stroke prevention, early identification, emergency response, rehabilitation and long-term management through innovative, inclusive and people-centric public health multilingual communication campaigns through a blend of digital outreach, grassroots engagement. While promoting policy advocacy to deal with stroke burden, IFI encourages youth as ambassadors of the community to act as stroke spotters and save lives.
“We are deeply humbled and encouraged by this recognition. This success belongs collectively to all our partners and stakeholders who stood with us in amplifying the urgent message that stroke is preventable, treatable and beatable through timely action and awareness,” said Nilambar Rath, Co-Chair, IFI Foundation at the occasion.
As per the WSO, 1 in 4 people worldwide carry the risk of experiencing brain stroke in their lifetime. It continues to remain one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, demanding urgent focus on educating people about symptoms, risk factors, emergency response protocols and rehabilitation support while encouraging preventive lifestyle practices.