Stroke Action Nigeria Partners WSO to Improve Access to Stroke Treatment

Rebecca Ejifoma

Stroke Action Nigeria has partnered the World Stroke Organisation to take action, drive awareness and push for better access to stroke treatment in Nigeria as part of activities to mark the 2016 World Stroke Day.

Stroke has been identified as the leading cause of death globally. According to research, every two seconds, someone has a stroke, and unfortunately many do not receive proper stroke care.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Stroke Acton Nigeria, Rita Melifonwu, who recently received an Individual Achievement Award at the 10th World Stroke Congress, Hyderabrad, India, said, “Recognising the signs of stroke early and treating it as a medical emergency with admission to a specialised stroke unit and access to the best professional care can substantially improve outcomes.”

Currently in Nigeria, stroke has reached epidemic proportions, affecting over 190,000 people a year. This is an estimate since there is no effective stroke registry to capture national incidence data on stroke. About 60 per cent of stroke survivors in Nigeria die within three months, a further 30 per cent die within 12 months and the few survivors end up with severe disability.

But luckily, stroke is treatable, a message Stroke Action Nigeria promoted on World Stroke Day

Stroke Action Nigeria disclosed this at the 5th Nigeria Stroke Assembly at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja with the theme: ‘Face the Fact: Stroke is Treatable’. The event will continue with Walk and Run against Stroke at the Millennium Park in Abuja.

According to the facts by the WSO, more than 17 million strokes occur globally each year with over six million deaths. It says that the global challenge is huge with 26 million stroke survivors, many living with significant disabilities that impede their ability to carry out daily tasks. One in six people will have a stroke in their lifetime.

“The right stroke care can prevent stroke and save lives,” said WSO President, Prof. Stephen Davis. “We are calling on governments to take action to improve awareness that stroke can happen to anyone and increase quality of access to critical stroke treatments.”

He went on: “Organised stroke care in specialised stroke care units improves the chance of a good outcome by 14 per cent. All stroke patients should be able to access essential stroke services, regardless of the economic setting. The use of PA (intravenous thrombolysis) improves the chance of a good outcome by 30 per cent in appropriate patients. This life-saving drug should be accessible to all and rehabilitation as a critical step in the treatment process. Primary and secondary prevention treatments and lifestyle change can reduce the risk of a stroke.”

The incoming WSO president, Prof. Werner Hacke, added: “This World Stroke Day, we encourage you to join the fight against stroke. Everyone must advocate together in one world voice for stroke.”