The association Portugal CVA today called for the urgent creation of a national plan for the rehabilitation of stroke survivors, to ensure fair access to timely, coordinated and quality rehabilitation care throughout the country. The association argues that the process should include combating depression, anxiety and social isolation.
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26/10/2026
by
Lusa
Lisboa, 26 Oct 2026 (2026) — The association Portugal CVA today called for the urgent creation of a national plan for the rehabilitation of stroke survivors, to ensure fair access to timely, coordinated and quality rehabilitation care throughout the country.
According to data from the Directorate-General for Health, they occur annually in Portugal between 25,000 and 30,000 episodes of stroke (CVA), the first cause of death and main cause of disability in the country, recalls Portugal CVA – Union of Survivors, Family and Friends, regarding the World Day of CVA, which is marked on October 29.
In view of this reality, the association points out the date with a call “for the definition and urgent implementation of a national plan for the rehabilitation of stroke survivors” to ensure that “the course of care does not end after treatment, but continues with a rehabilitation response appropriate to the needs of each person”.
“ Despite the importance of rehabilitation for the recovery of stroke survivors, Portugal continues without a defined national strategy and implemented in this area, although its need has already been recognized unanimously in parliament”, stresses the association in a statement.
Portugal CVA points out that “Rehabilitation is fundamental for the recovery and quality of life of the stroke survivor”, but stresses that it is not just about rehabilitating motor, communicative and cognitive aspects, for example.
“ It is also intended that this process enables the fight against depression, anxiety and social isolation and promote family and community reintegration”, explains the president of Portugal CVA, António Conceição, quoted in the statement.
The association suggests that rehabilitation can contribute to regain autonomy and independence in daily activities, improve motor function and balance, recover communication and language skills and prevent secondary complications, as well as strengthen the trust of survivors and support their return to family, social and community life.
In this context, Portugal CVA argues that “rehab should not be seen as a cost, but as an investment in recovery, quality of life and social participation of survivors”.
For the association, World CVA Day is also an opportunity to reinforce the importance of recognizing warning signs and immediate action in the face of a possible stroke episode.
In Portugal, the main warning signs are often identified through the “3 F”: Fala (difficulty in speaking); Face (deviation of the face or mouth); Strength (loss of strength in the arm or leg).
In view of the sudden onset of these symptoms, the patient should contact 112 and activate the Green Route of stroke, allowing the patient to be referred to the appropriate hospital response, increasing the possibility of timely access to the indicated treatments.
To keep the reality of stroke survivors on the public agenda, Portugal launches the 4th edition of the Journalism Award, which aims to encourage and recognize the quality of journalistic work in the health area in Portugal, highlighting the reality of those who suffered a stroke.
Interested journalists may consult the regulation and submit the application by 15 December 2027.