For the first time in Bulgaria, a patient information bot supported by the Ministry of Health will help the fight against stroke
Sofia, 08.03.2024 The Association for Stroke and Aphasia (ASA), together with the Ministry of Health (MH), today give the official launch of the dissemination of an Information Bot in Viber, which will help to cope with stroke in the country. Bulgaria ranks first in Europe in number of strokes per capita over the past 10 years, with over 40,000 strokes every year and 5,000 deaths due to stroke.
"Our analysis shows that our society is poorly informed about stroke. Knowledge of risk factors, stroke symptoms, and the correct algorithm of stroke behavior when stroke happens is also limited. This knowledge is critical to tackling the problem." - said Dipl.eng. Dorina Dobreva, Chairman of the Board of AEA.
The Association for Stroke and Aphasia (ASA) annually conducts large-scale national campaigns on the occasion of the European and World Stroke Day. At the initiative of ASA, a bespoke designed information stand with printed materials about stroke is located in the main offices for administrative services to citizens in each Bulgarian municipality. With the assistance of Bulgarian posts, in the last two campaigns, the information materials reached almost 3,000 locations in the country, some of which are small settlements with up to 150 inhabitants.
"The huge challenge ahead of us is related to the fast, mass dissemination of accurate and timely information to everyone in Bulgaria. – noted Dr. Georgi Georgiev, Deputy Chairman of ASA - That is why we are happy that we met full understanding and empathy in Racutten Viber Bulgaria and Clearware, with whom in just a few months we created the ASA Stroke Information Bot."
The information bot is created and distributed completely free of charge. It is an innovation not only for Bulgaria. According to the ASA, such an initiative is being launched for the first time within Europe.
"We have had no hesitation to support this undoubtedly innovative tool – shared Assoc. Prof.Dr.Okoliyski, Deputy Minister of Health – In the Ministry we assess as extremely important the task of health promotion and the prevention of most common diseases. This year we are launching a number of initiatives in this direction and we hope that this will be the beginning of a turning point for our society. Partnership with the non-governmental sector and in particular with patient organizations is extremely important for us. We are convinced, That broad collaboration is the right way to tackle complex problems such as diseases." - he finished.
The creation of Infobot Stroke is only the first step. The bot is yet to be developed consistently, with the ambition to be a truly useful and complete tool in the fight against stroke.
"We are really impressed by what is being presented to society today! – said Assoc. Prof. Dr.Kalpachki, Chairman of the Bulgarian Stroke Society– For us, doctors it is common practice to receive information from leading countries about innovations, but it is very rare for us to be able to share such innovation with our colleagues. We, from the Bulgarian Stroke Society, as a multidisciplinary scientific medical society, are motivated to work for the development of such projects. We congratulate ASA - one of the most active and efficient patient organizations in the country, as well as the developers for the innovative idea and its implementation."
But how do you implement such a project without funds?
"Perhaps one of the answers is – with heart. – said Teodor Todorov, founder of Clearware (a Bulgarian IT company that developed and implemented the project) – As a developing startup in Bulgaria, I know well this important stage in the process – you have a great idea, but you do not have the means to implement it. That's how many successful companies started today. That is why it was very easy for me to decide to get involved pro-bono in the creation of the bot and when I got a call from ASA I immediately agreed. I would like to highlight the contribution and work of Simeon Drazhev and Yura Topkarova, who were responsible for the project, as well as our entire team, because they all worked very professionally and devoted their hearts. These are graduates from our free academy - young IT specialists who work and develop successfully in the city of Pleven."
However, there is one more element without which the "puzzle" could not be achieved. In fact, this is the "central element" – Racutten Viber Bulgaria. The idea for the realization of a bot was born at a meeting of ASA with Nikolay Gevechanov in 2023.
"The importance for the society is at the centre of our activities and as a leader among the communication platforms in Bulgaria, we believe that our partnership with the Association for Stroke and Aphasia has a real chance to help both in the stroke prevention and in the process of rehabilitation for people suffering from stroke or aphasia."
Nikolay gave absolutely maximum support throughout the whole project. He provided all necessary information, contacts and gave valuable advices.
Now the next big step for the project will be the dissemination. "There is already support from the Ministry of Health, which will include the bot in its prevention materials. – summarizes Dr. Georgiev - It is important for everyone to know that they can search for the keyword "stroke" in Viber and find the Infobot with the logo of the Association for Stroke and Aphasia. Links and a QR code for access will also be widely promoted. Our message is "Learn more about stroke, spread your knowledge, make an effort to change!" .