By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) Stroke Unit on Wednesday organised free medical tests and medication for indigents in Ilorin.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the free medical outreach is part of the activities organised to commemorate the 2025 World Stroke Day.
Speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of the outreach, the Head of the Stroke Unit at the UITH, Prof. Kolawole Wahab, stated that World Stroke Day 2025 highlights the urgent global call to act on stroke prevention, care, and recovery.
He said the theme of the day entitled: “Every Minute Counts”, is apt as it lays emphasis on the importance of timely intervention in saving people from stroke.
He pointed out that every minute counts, when it comes to treatment and saving lives, and that the commonest risk factor all over the world is hypertension.
Wahab observed that Nigeria is the stroke capital city in Africa due to the high burden of hypertension among the populace.
He said stroke is very common in Nigeria, and that there are about 114 people per 100,000 population who have stroke in the country.
“It is a very prevalence disease, and in actual fact every single minute, six indigenous Africans develop stroke.
“Over a period of one hour which is 60 minutes, 360 indigenous Africans would have developed a stroke. This is something that is preventable,” he lamented.
According to him, the disease is more prevalent in Africa and other developing countries than the Western world.
Wahab described stroke as a medical emergency that happens when blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures.
He explained further that this lack of blood flow prevents brain cells from getting oxygen and nutrients, causing them to die within minutes.
Also speaking, Dr Alaofin Adetunji, Consultant Neurologist, UITH explained that the commemoration of the day is to mobilize and sensitize the public on dangers of stroke, and also strengthen resolve on fighting scourge of stroke in the state.
Adetunji advised people to identify the signs of a stroke, which he said is acronymed BE-FAST: Balance (sudden loss of balance), Eyes (vision problems), Face (drooping), Arm (weakness), Speech (slurred), and Time.
He therefore warns against smoking, drinking alcohol, sedentary life styles and taking recreational drugs among others.
The Deputy director of Nursing, Stroke Care Unit of UITH, Mrs Tejumola Yinka observed that people should be enlightened about the dangers of stroke, to protect themselves from the disease.
Yinka said when people are enlightened, they will be aware of the signs that will propel them to seek timely medical care and intervention.
She stated that the programme includes tests for hypertension, blood sugar and free medication among others.
