The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Ghana has raised concerns over a sharp increase in stroke cases reported to the facility. According to Dr. Priscilla Abrafi Asafo Adjei, a Neurologist and Head of the Multidisciplinary Stroke Team at KATH, the hospital records between four and six new stroke cases daily, translating into over 1,000 cases annually. This trend is described as a major public health concern.
The alarming aspect of this trend is that the majority of the cases involve young adults, aged between 20 and 40 years. Dr. Asafo Adjei attributed the rising cases to both medical and lifestyle-related risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, stress, and lack of physical activity. She also noted that non-adherence to medication among persons diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes is a major contributing factor.
To address this issue, the KATH Stroke Centre of Excellence, in partnership with the Member of Parliament for Manso Nkwanta Constituency, organized a free health screening exercise at Antoakrom for residents within the constituency. The exercise aimed to promote early detection and prevention of stroke and other non-communicable diseases. Dr. Bernard Bediako, the Amansie West District Director of Health, emphasized that early detection not only saves lives but also reduces the financial burden on families and the health system.
The screening exercise was necessitated by disturbing trends recorded at health facilities across the district, where hypertension and diabetes, the two leading risk factors for stroke, are fast rising. According to Dr. Bediako, hypertension has consistently featured among the top ten causes of Outpatient Department (OPD) attendance in the district. The directorate therefore decided to partner with the KATH Stroke Centre of Excellence and the MP for Manso Nkwanta to take screening and education directly to the communities.
The medical team advised residents to adopt healthy lifestyles, reduce salt and alcohol intake, avoid smoking, exercise regularly, check their blood pressure and blood sugar levels frequently, and seek early medical attention when they experience warning signs such as sudden weakness of the limbs, slurred speech, facial drooping, or severe headache. The MP for Manso Nkwanta, Hon. Tweneboah Kodua Fokuo, commended KATH for extending the outreach to the constituency and pledged continued support for health interventions.
World Stroke Day, instituted by the World Stroke Organisation, is observed annually on October 29 to raise awareness about stroke prevention, early detection, treatment, and to support survivors. This year’s celebration is on the theme, “Every Minute Counts– #ActFAST”. The screening exercise attracted hundreds of residents within the constituency and aimed to promote early detection and prevention of stroke and other non-communicable diseases.
The District Health Directorate will intensify community health education and routine screening in markets, churches, and schools to capture more people before complications develop. Dr. Bediako appealed to residents, especially the youth, to take advantage of regular health screening exercises, know their blood pressure and blood sugar status, adhere to prescribed medications, and adopt healthy lifestyles.
Key points
- KATH reports 4-6 new stroke cases daily, over 1,000 annually.
- The majority of stroke cases involve young adults, aged between 20 and 40 years.
- Early detection of stroke can save lives and reduce the financial burden on families and the health system.
