By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
One in 4 stroke instances in Nigeria impacts individuals beneath 50, elevating issues concerning the illness’s rising burden amongst younger adults.
Prof. Kolawole Wahab, Head of the Stroke Unit on the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), disclosed this on Thursday in Ilorin.
He spoke on the sidelines of a medical rally commemorating the 2026 World Stroke Day, with the theme ‘Every Minute Counts’, which highlights the significance of immediate remedy
Wahab mentioned analysis revealed in 2017 had documented the prevalence of stroke amongst youthful Nigerians.
(*1*) he mentioned.
The neurologist described the stroke burden within the area as epidemic, including that UITH’s emergency division receives one or two stroke sufferers each day.
He recognized hypertension as Nigeria’s main stroke danger issue, warning that poor blood strain management might improve the chance of the situation.
According to him, as much as 9 out of each 10 stroke instances have hypertension as an underlying issue.
Wahab expressed concern that some sufferers abandon prescribed remedy in favour of unproven treatments, leaving their blood strain uncontrolled.
He additionally recognized diabetes as one other main danger issue, noting that some individuals stay unaware they’ve the situation.
Others, he mentioned, neglect correct diabetes administration regardless of understanding their standing.
(*4*) he mentioned.
Wahab listed imbalances in blood fat amongst different danger components, explaining that irregular ranges of fine and dangerous fat might contribute to stroke.
He warned towards smoking, extreme alcohol consumption, exhausting medicine and sedentary existence, urging Nigerians to undertake more healthy habits.
The knowledgeable additionally suggested individuals to average their salt consumption, notably these recognized with hypertension.
He cautioned towards including desk salt to meals after preparation, stressing the significance of controlling blood strain.
Also talking, Dr Wemimo Olaofin, a guide neurologist at UITH, urged Nigerians to examine their blood strain frequently.
Olaofin mentioned stroke might happen all of the sudden at any time, however preventive measures and correct well being administration might scale back the danger.
He inspired the general public to watch their blood strain and embrace more healthy existence to stop the situation.
Mrs Tejumola Olayinka, Deputy Director of Nursing accountable for UITH’s Stroke Care Unit, mentioned the commemoration aimed to advertise consciousness and early hospital presentation.
“Stroke case is an emergency case that requires timely intervention. We can reduce the number of mortality and also reduce the number of people with stroke,” she mentioned.
Olayinka described stroke as a sudden prevalence, “like a slap”, and highlighted facial drooping, arm weak spot and slurred speech as warning indicators.
She urged individuals displaying these signs to be rushed to hospital instantly for medical consideration.
The nursing director additionally warned stroke sufferers towards failing to take prescribed remedy, noting that some sufferers didn’t adhere to remedy regardless of understanding their situation.
As a part of the commemoration, UITH organised an consciousness rally throughout the hospital and medical outreach programmes on the educating hospital and Kwara Government House.
Two beneficiaries, Mr Jimoh Abdullateef and Mrs Fatima Abdulazeez, recommended the medical staff for offering free medical providers and distributing medicine. (NAN)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
