PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST STROKE   

Nigerians should adopt healthy lifestyles

When somebody has a stroke, according to the United Nations, “every second that goes by is crucial. As brain tissue and millions of neurons begin to fade away, time could not be more precious.” As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2023 World Stroke Day on Sunday, 29 October, relevant stakeholders in the health sector must work to reduce the scourge of a dreaded disease that is assuming an epidemic proportion in the country.   

In 2021, a team of Nigerian researchers from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, and Federal Medical Center, Asaba, conducted research to garner “information about how to best improve outcomes for stroke patients in Nigeria.” The researchers, Babawale Arabambi, Olajumoke Oshinaike, Shamsideen Abayomi Ogun, Chukwuemeka Eze, Abiodun Hamzat Bello, Steven Igetei, Yakub Yusuf, Rashidat Amoke Olanigan and Sikirat Yetunde Ashiru identified only five centres among 58 tertiary hospitals with stroke-specific units. “The oldest was established in 2010 and the newest in 2021,” said Arabambi. “Based on the number of patients admitted to these five centres alone, we believe that creation of more stroke units is certainly needed at other hospitals in Nigeria.”   

Meanwhile, several medical studies have proven that most chronic diseases in the country are rooted in poor nutrition, hence, it is most common that hospital patients are advised to watch their dietary intake first before any other health tips. Conventional wisdom teaches that the kitchen is the best hospital while food is the best medicine. Unfortunately, this is one area Nigerians take with huge levity, mostly on the excuse of poor economic conditions, busy schedule, and ignorance. The World Stroke Organisation (WSO) contends that 90 per cent of strokes are associated with identifiable risk factors that include diet, weight, alcohol, hypertension, exercise, smoking, cholesterol, depression, stress, etc. Increasing awareness of these risk factors will help in reducing the burden. Sadly, little is being done in that direction in Nigeria today hence stroke has become a serious health challenge.   

While life expectancy alone does not reflect the expected number of years an individual would live with optimal health, the lower life expectancy in Nigeria reflects our state of healthcare delivery system. Of grave concern is that in recent times, there has been a total absence of any keen desire by the government, at all levels, to clean the environment for Nigerians to enjoy healthier lives. Indeed, in many cities across the country, environmental pollution has become a major public health issue. That perhaps accounts for why there is an increase in cases of terminal ailments like cancer, hypertension/stroke and needless deaths that can be traced only to environmental pollution.   

To address the increasing rate of Nigerians dying from stroke and other preventable diseases, public awareness needs to be promoted about healthy lifestyles. Experts are of the view that Nigerians should be more health conscious and do routine medical checks.  People are advised to eat right, reduce excessive refined sugar, their salt and fat intake while increasing their vegetable and fruit intake. Besides, they must stop smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, work to reduce their weight and exercise regularly.    

The theme for the 2023 World Stroke Day is ‘Together we are greater than stroke’. It is an encouragement for those who are down with the ailment. But it is also a message for health authorities and other stakeholders in Nigeria on the need to fight the scourge. Prevention, especially for such a life-threatening ailment, remains the best cure.