Stroke Action Nigeria, WSO partner to improve access to treatment

Stroke Action Nigeria has partnered with 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. Every two seconds, someone has a stroke, and unfortunately many do not receive proper stroke care.

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.
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But luckily, stroke is treatable – this is the message Stroke Action Nigeria seeks to promote on World Stroke Day (October 29).

The Chief Executive Officer of the Stroke Acton Nigeria, Rita Melifonwu, who received an Individual Achievement Award at the 10th World Stroke Congress, Hyderabrad, India on Wednesday, 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.”

To the mark World Stroke Day in Nigeria, Stroke Action Nigeria held 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 & Run Against Stroke at the Millennium Park, Abuja.

Facts from the World Stroke Organisation have it that more than 17 million strokes occur globally each year with over six million deaths. 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 equity of access to critical stroke treatments.”