http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=124758:experts-decry-lack-of-data-on-stroke-victims&catid=1:national&Itemid=559
WORRIED by the lack of correct statistics on the number of
Nigerians suffering from stroke, experts in the management of the
disease have appealed to sufferers to dissuade their minds from the
belief that the occurrence of the disease is from their enemies and seek
medical intervention as soon as possible.
A group of managers of the disease, under the auspices of Stroke Action Nigeria, said during a stroke awareness workshop in Abuja at the weekend, that part of the challenges facing the management of the disease is that majority of sufferers in Africa, including Nigeria, resolve to what it termed ‘spiritual or diabolical means’ in the treatment of the disease with the strong (though unfounded) belief that the incident of stroke can only be an attack from those who hate them.
The group said though the country cannot boast of a good statistics and accurate data of sufferers, one thing it is sure of is that every Nigerian has a relative or knows somebody who has had a stroke. It added that what this portrays is that there is high incidence of stroke in the country and people are dying on a daily basis as a result of the untreated disease.
The group also lamented that the high cost of autopsy has made majority of deaths in Nigeria un-investigated. This, it noted, directly translates to lack of research, which also hindered advancement in medical breakthroughs.
Consultant Neurosurgeon and Stroke Specialist, Dr. Biodun Ogungbo, said the workshop is geared towards getting stroke ambassadors in every nook and cranny of the country and equipping same on the right knowledge in order to spread the message in Nigeria about the devastating effect of the occurrence of the disease.
Ogungbo also said the workshop is to warn on the danger of stroke, give correct information about the disease in order to know what to do when people have a stroke, get them to a hospital as soon as possible and more importantly, prevent the sickness from happening.
Ogungbo said as devastating as the incidence of stroke is, it is a disease that is actually preventable if people are armed with the knowledge of its risk factors.
His words: “The major thrust of Stroke Ambassadors is for people who know the truth because we need to be able to get into each home with the correct information about stroke.
“They need to stand up and say what causes it and that it is not because someone hates you or is your enemy but because you have been a smoker all your life and you are not taking the necessary precautions. Stroke is an individual thing since the person has not done enough to prevent it.”
Highlighting the risk factors of the disease, Ogungbo said most of them are as a result of the type of lifestyle people choose to live. He said taking little precaution and being mindful of what people eat have a major role to play in the reduction rate of the disease.
He added that sickle cell disease, uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, smoking and obesity are some of the risk factors that can lead to stroke but advised that the situation can be addressed if precautions are taken and medical help is sought in time.
Describing stroke as an individual thing, Ogungbo said hypertension, which is the major lead way to stroke, can be controlled by lifestyle changes, weight loss, regular exercises, eating right and little intake of salt.
He said since hypertension is something that cannot be wished away, people should endeavour to take their drugs until otherwise advised by the doctor. He warned that it is a silent-killer, which might not give any notice before it strikes. This, he said, necessitates regular checks with the doctors.
In her contribution, Chief Executive Officer of Stroke Action Nigeria, Rita Melifonwu, said the focus is to rehabilitate stroke patients and integrate them back into the society. She said stroke is a very huge problem in Nigeria and the country desires committed volunteers and stroke ambassadors.
Melifonwu said the group is in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health in its quest to get stroke education around the country.
A group of managers of the disease, under the auspices of Stroke Action Nigeria, said during a stroke awareness workshop in Abuja at the weekend, that part of the challenges facing the management of the disease is that majority of sufferers in Africa, including Nigeria, resolve to what it termed ‘spiritual or diabolical means’ in the treatment of the disease with the strong (though unfounded) belief that the incident of stroke can only be an attack from those who hate them.
The group said though the country cannot boast of a good statistics and accurate data of sufferers, one thing it is sure of is that every Nigerian has a relative or knows somebody who has had a stroke. It added that what this portrays is that there is high incidence of stroke in the country and people are dying on a daily basis as a result of the untreated disease.
The group also lamented that the high cost of autopsy has made majority of deaths in Nigeria un-investigated. This, it noted, directly translates to lack of research, which also hindered advancement in medical breakthroughs.
Consultant Neurosurgeon and Stroke Specialist, Dr. Biodun Ogungbo, said the workshop is geared towards getting stroke ambassadors in every nook and cranny of the country and equipping same on the right knowledge in order to spread the message in Nigeria about the devastating effect of the occurrence of the disease.
Ogungbo also said the workshop is to warn on the danger of stroke, give correct information about the disease in order to know what to do when people have a stroke, get them to a hospital as soon as possible and more importantly, prevent the sickness from happening.
Ogungbo said as devastating as the incidence of stroke is, it is a disease that is actually preventable if people are armed with the knowledge of its risk factors.
His words: “The major thrust of Stroke Ambassadors is for people who know the truth because we need to be able to get into each home with the correct information about stroke.
“They need to stand up and say what causes it and that it is not because someone hates you or is your enemy but because you have been a smoker all your life and you are not taking the necessary precautions. Stroke is an individual thing since the person has not done enough to prevent it.”
Highlighting the risk factors of the disease, Ogungbo said most of them are as a result of the type of lifestyle people choose to live. He said taking little precaution and being mindful of what people eat have a major role to play in the reduction rate of the disease.
He added that sickle cell disease, uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes, smoking and obesity are some of the risk factors that can lead to stroke but advised that the situation can be addressed if precautions are taken and medical help is sought in time.
Describing stroke as an individual thing, Ogungbo said hypertension, which is the major lead way to stroke, can be controlled by lifestyle changes, weight loss, regular exercises, eating right and little intake of salt.
He said since hypertension is something that cannot be wished away, people should endeavour to take their drugs until otherwise advised by the doctor. He warned that it is a silent-killer, which might not give any notice before it strikes. This, he said, necessitates regular checks with the doctors.
In her contribution, Chief Executive Officer of Stroke Action Nigeria, Rita Melifonwu, said the focus is to rehabilitate stroke patients and integrate them back into the society. She said stroke is a very huge problem in Nigeria and the country desires committed volunteers and stroke ambassadors.
Melifonwu said the group is in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health in its quest to get stroke education around the country.
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