TAIPING, 3 November 2025 – Taiping has officially been recognised as Malaysia’s first Angels Region, marking a major milestone in the nation’s continuing efforts to improve stroke care and patient outcomes.
The Angels Region Award, presented by the Angels Initiative in collaboration with the World Stroke Organization (WSO), celebrates outstanding partnerships among hospitals, emergency services, local authorities, and educators united by a shared mission: to deliver better outcomes for stroke patients.
The Angels Region certification was awarded to the Perak State Health Department, recognising the exceptional coordination between Hospital Taiping, Pejabat Kesihatan Daerah Larut Matang dan Selama (LMS), Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah LMS, and Pejabat Kemajuan Masyarakat (KEMAS) Taiping.
During the ceremony, Hospital Taiping, a specialist hospital within the Northern Perak cluster, also received two prestigious accolades, the WSO Angels Award Q2 2025 Platinum Status and the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Angels Award Q2 2025 Diamond Status, for its commitment to delivering timely, high-quality stroke treatment.
“Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability in Malaysia. An estimated 41,000 stroke patients are admitted to Ministry of Health hospitals each year, underscoring the urgent need for stronger, coordinated stroke care nationwide. Behind every number is a person, a family, and a community affected by stroke,” said Dr. Jamal Malik, Head of Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
“The Angels Initiative is about enabling hospitals to act quickly and effectively when every minute counts, because timely, high-quality care can mean the difference between recovery and lifelong disability,” he added.
Dr. Jamal further noted that Taiping’s recognition demonstrates what can be achieved when hospitals, healthcare professionals, and partners unite with a shared purpose:
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all in Taiping whose commitment and collaboration have made this achievement possible. At Boehringer Ingelheim, we are committed to working closely with hospitals, stroke teams, and the Ministry of Health to expand the Angels Initiative to more hospitals and regions across Malaysia, building a nationwide network of stroke-ready centers.”
Building Community Awareness
Taiping surpassed its population-based target for the FAST Heroes campaign, one of the key criteria for the Angels Region Award, reaching 777 children with life-saving stroke awareness education.
Endorsed by the World Stroke Organization, FAST Heroes is an award-winning, school-based program designed to empower young children to share their knowledge with parents and grandparents, helping families recognise stroke warning signs and understand the urgency of seeking immediate medical help.
In recognition of their contributions, 14 organizations and schools in Taiping received certification for their participation in the FAST Heroes campaign, including Pejabat Kesihatan Daerah LMS, Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah LMS, KEMAS Taiping, one public school, three private kindergartens, and seven KEMAS schools.
“We are deeply proud that our state has been recognised as Malaysia’s first Angels Region. This recognition reflects the progress we’ve made in strengthening stroke care under the Ministry of Health’s commitment to improving outcomes for non-communicable diseases,” said Dr. Feisul Idzwan Mustapha, Perak State Health Director.
“Through initiatives like the Angels Initiative, we are building a more responsive and coordinated stroke care system. Our success is the result of strong collaboration between hospitals, healthcare professionals, and partners who share one goal: to give every stroke patient in Malaysia, regardless of where they live, the best possible chance at recovery.”
A Global Movement for Stroke-Ready Region
Launched in 2024, the 100 Angels Region Strategy is a global effort to enhance stroke safety by transforming 100 regions into fully coordinated, stroke-ready ecosystems by December 2027.
A region qualifies for the title when it meets four key pillars:
- Gold-standard EMS performance to ensure rapid stroke recognition and hospital transport;
- Widespread community awareness through campaigns like FAST Heroes;
- A strong network of stroke-ready hospitals capable of delivering timely, evidence-based treatment; and
- All hospitals achieving at least Gold status in the ESO/WSO Angels Awards, supported by continuous, data-driven quality improvement.
Taiping’s success as Malaysia’s first Angels Region sets a benchmark for other regions, reinforcing the country’s commitment to building a comprehensive, high-performing stroke care network that saves lives and strengthens communities nationwide
