A neurologist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr. Priscilla Sebond Opare Addo, has revealed that stroke has become the second leading cause of death and disability worldwide, describing the trend as deeply alarming.
Speaking during an event to mark World Stroke Day in the Asokwa Municipality of the Ashanti Region, Dr. Opare Addo painted a worrying picture of the situation in Ghana. She disclosed that at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital alone, between four and five stroke patients die each day, underscoring the critical need for increased awareness and preventive action.
“At Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, four to five stroke patients die daily, so you can see how critical the matter has become,” she stated.
The World Stroke Day commemoration was jointly organized by KATH in collaboration with the Asokwa Municipal Health Directorate, aimed at sensitizing the public on stroke prevention, early detection, and the importance of healthy living.
Dr. Opare Addo explained that stroke — which occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced — can lead to long-term disability or death if not treated promptly. She noted that the increasing number of cases being recorded at major hospitals in Ghana reflects a worrying rise in hypertension, diabetes, and poor lifestyle habits among the population.
The neurologist cautioned the public against unhealthy diets, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, physical inactivity, and poor management of stress, all of which significantly increase the risk of stroke.
“Many of these cases are preventable if people adopt healthy lifestyles — exercising regularly, eating more fruits and vegetables, and checking their blood pressure and sugar levels frequently,” she advised.
She further urged the public to seek immediate medical attention when they notice early signs of stroke, such as sudden weakness, facial drooping, or difficulty speaking, emphasizing that timely intervention can save lives and reduce disability.
