# World Stroke Day awareness in Bulgaria and North Macedonia > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/world-stroke-day-awareness-in-bulgaria-and-north-macedonia > Updated: 2026-10-29T12:13:14.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2. In observance of World Stroke Day, various health initiatives were launched in Bulgaria and North Macedonia to increase public awareness and promote early medical intervention. In Bulgaria, several municipalities, including Bansko, Ruse, and Stara Zagora, joined the ‘Every Minute Counts’ campaign. Organized by the Association for Stroke and Aphasia and the Bulgarian Stroke Society, the initiative focuses on educating the public about early warning signs such as facial asymmetry, limb numbness, and speech difficulties. Informational materials are being distributed through community centers and municipal buildings to reach both urban and remote settlements. In North Macedonia, the Ministry of Health and the Clinic for Neurology conducted public health screenings. A central event in Skopje provided free preventive screenings and Doppler examinations to citizens. Medical officials reported that approximately 50 percent of those screened showed significant findings, with 30 percent referred for further neurological testing. Health Minister Sasho Klekovski emphasized the necessity of rapid response and accessible diagnostics in stroke treatment. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-29: North Macedonia marks World Stroke Day with public health screenings North Macedonia marked World Stroke Day with free public screenings in Skopje. About 50% of those examined showed medical findings, prompting calls for improved rapid response and decentralized neurologicalcare 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-macedonia-marks-world-stroke-day-with-public-health-screenings ### 2026-10-28: Bulgarian municipalities join national stroke awareness campaign Bulgarian municipalities are supporting the ‘Every Minute Counts’ campaign to promote rapid recognition of stroke symptoms and emphasize the importance of immediate medical response. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-municipalities-support-stroke-awareness-campaign --- Cite as: World Stroke Day awareness in Bulgaria and North Macedonia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/world-stroke-day-awareness-in-bulgaria-and-north-macedonia