A consultant neurologist, Dr. Emmanuel Iwuozo has said 26 out of every 1000 Nigerians are attacked with stroke on daily basis.
Dr. Iwuozo who heads the Neurology Unit, Internal Medicine Department at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Makurdi, said the trend which is on the increase was responsible for most sudden deaths in the country.
He stated this in Makurdi at a sensitization programme held for stroke victims, family members, care givers and members of the public as part of activities to mark the 2018 World Stroke Day.
Iwuozo said “in our experience here, we have two new patients admitted in our ward on daily basis and if you look at the population of the state, that number is huge.”
Iwuozo who enumerated the challenges of managing victims of stroke by care givers and family members said stroke was preventable and treatable.
“So those who have stroke should know that having stroke is not the end of the World and that they can go back to their normal daily life even after a stroke.
“We are marking this day by creating awareness about stroke.
We dedicated today to screening so that even those who don’t have stroke can be sensitised.”
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He urged Nigerians to always embark on routine medical check ups from age 40 and above in order to stay safe and healthy.
A Chief Nursing officer with FMC Makurdi, and stroke lead Ambassador for Action Stroke Nigeria, Grace Achado, said her group was also on ground to lend support and care to stroke survivor and care givers.
More than 200 residents of Benue, including stroke survivors took part in the free screening exercise for hypertension and diabetes.
Some of the survivors; Godwin Mnena and Ronny Yima thanked the organisers of the programme and called on others to always check their Blood Pressure and what they eat.
The Medical director of FMC, Makurdi, Dr. Peteru Msuega Inunduh implored participants and stroke victims to always seek medical help instead of traditional doctors which often come with complications.
“I want to advise patients to go for regular check ups and avoid traditional medical, this way they won’t have complications,” he said.
