EVERY day up to 360 South Africans are affected by strokes, and experts warn that about a third of those who suffer a stroke will die while a quarter will be left with life-changing disability.
Stroke is essentially a ‘brain attack’ that occurs when oxygen supply to the brain is cut off by a blockage or damage to a blood vessel in the brain. This causes the brain cells to die, which can be fatal or result in disability.
Throughout this week, a unique health programme, the Angels Initiative, is working at major commuter hubs and some shopping centres in KwaZulu-Natal to spread stroke awareness and empower members of the public to respond appropriately in a stroke emergency.
The series of health activations is part of an awareness campaign conducted by medical company Boehringer Ingelheim in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health.
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On Thursday, 22 February, Angels ambassadors clad in white feathery wings mobilised commuters at Warwick Taxi Rank in Durban through which over 200 000 people commute daily. They handed out leaflets, talking about stroke, and encouraging commuters to do all they can to take good care of their health. In addition, healthcare workers gave free blood pressure screening, as high blood pressure is major risk factor for stroke, and many people are unaware they have high blood pressure until the damage occurs.
Health campaigners were joined by Dr Sharadh Garach, chief specialist for Emergency Medicine at the KZN Department of Health.
“Stroke affects South Africans in all walks of life and ordinary citizens are essentially the ‘first responders’ when it occurs. If they are able to act with certainty and speed to secure emergency treatment, we can save many lives and reduce the severity of long-term damage,” he said.
The Angels Initiative not only aims to educate the public on stroke but also to improve the ability of public and private hospitals to provide treatment.
“We believe that we can make a huge improvement to the quality of stroke care across the board if we share our knowledge more generously and coordinate our services better. Strokes do not discriminate between rich and poor, and we must ensure everyone has access to effective stroke care,” said Boehringer Ingelheim medical director Dr Shanil Naidoo.
The activations have also been carried out at taxi ranks and shopping centres in Empangeni, Isipingo and Phoenix Plaza in Umhlanga.
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