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By Muinat Usman
The Stroke Unit of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) on Wednesday organized a free medical outreach for indigent residents of Ilorin as part of activities marking the 2025 World Stroke Day.
The outreach featured free medical tests, consultations, and medications aimed at raising awareness and improving stroke prevention and care.
Speaking at the event, the Head of the Stroke Unit, Professor Kolawole Wahab, emphasized that the 2025 World Stroke Day theme, “Every Minute Counts,” highlights the importance of timely intervention in saving lives and preventing severe complications.
According to Professor Wahab, every minute is critical in the treatment of stroke, noting that hypertension remains the most common risk factor both globally and in Nigeria.
He lamented that Nigeria currently bears one of the highest burdens of stroke in Africa, with an estimated 114 cases per 100,000 people, largely attributed to uncontrolled hypertension.
“Stroke is highly prevalent in Nigeria. Every single minute, about six Africans suffer a stroke—meaning that within one hour, 360 people across the continent would have developed the condition. This is deeply concerning because stroke is largely preventable,” he said.
Professor Wahab explained that stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is obstructed or when a blood vessel ruptures, depriving brain cells of oxygen and nutrients. “When this happens, brain cells begin to die within minutes,” he warned.
Also speaking, Dr. Alaofin Adetunji, Consultant Neurologist at UITH, said the event was designed to sensitize the public on stroke prevention and strengthen the collective fight against the disease in Kwara State.
He urged Nigerians to familiarize themselves with the early signs of stroke using the acronym BE-FAST, which stands for:
Balance – sudden loss of balance;
Eyes – vision problems;
Face – facial drooping;
Arm – weakness or numbness;
Speech – slurred speech;
Time – act fast and seek medical help immediately.
Dr. Adetunji advised the public to adopt healthy lifestyles by avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol intake, sedentary habits, and recreational drug use.
In her remarks, Mrs. Tejumola Yinka, Deputy Director of Nursing at the UITH Stroke Care Unit, stressed the importance of public enlightenment on stroke prevention.
“When people are informed about stroke symptoms, they are more likely to seek timely medical attention and improve their chances of recovery,” she said.
Mrs Yinka added that the outreach included free hypertension and blood sugar tests, as well as the provision of free medications to participants.
Editing: Abdullahi Ahmed
