Pictured from left: Ms Amy Lomax, Stoke Practice Nurse, Ms Anna Mallia, Charge Nurse at the Stoke Ward, Dr Malcolm Vella, Clinical Chairman Department of Neurosciences, Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Neurophysiologist, Mr Glenn Bugeja, Secretary for the HSBC Malta Foundation and Perit Joseph Attard, COPM Mater Dei Hospital

The HSBC Malta Foundation has partnered with Mater Dei Hospital to sponsor custom-designed mugs aimed at raising awareness about the critical importance of recognising and acting immediately in the case of a stroke.

The mugs, which carry clear messaging to dial 112 at the first signs of a stroke, are being distributed among healthcare professionals and the public as a practical reminder of the life-saving value of timely action.

Strokes are one of the leading causes of long-term disability and death in Malta, but research shows that if patients receive emergency treatment within the first few hours of symptom onset, such patients have significantly improved functional outcomes and reduced disability compared to those who do not receive these interventions. In some cases, with timely intervention, a significant neurological deficit can be reversed.

Perit Joseph Attard, COPM at Mater Dei Hospital, said: “This is a simple yet powerful awareness campaign that underscores an urgent truth: time is brain. The faster someone seeks emergency care when experiencing stroke symptoms, the greater the chances of full recovery. We’re grateful to the HSBC Malta Foundation for supporting this initiative, which aligns perfectly with our mission to save lives through education and rapid intervention.”

“We are proud to support Mater Dei Hospital in its efforts to promote stroke awareness. These mugs are more than just a daily item, they’re a visual cue that could prompt someone to act quickly and save a life. We believe that small, well-targeted actions like this can lead to a big impact in public health outcomes,” added Glenn Bugeja, Secretary of the HSBC Malta Foundation.

The mugs were presented to Perit Joseph Attard during a brief ceremony in front of the Stroke Ward at Mater Dei Hospital some weeks ago, reinforcing the ongoing collaboration between the national health service and corporate partners committed to improving community wellbeing. Dr Malcolm Vella – Clinical Chairman Department of Neurosciences, Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Neurophysiologist, and top-level nursing staff of the Stroke Ward were also present for the presentation.

This initiative forms part of the HSBC Malta Foundation’s broader health awareness efforts, with a particular focus on prevention, education, and timely access to care.