By: Jennifer Frimpong Wiredu
A Physician Specialist at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and the Ho Teaching Hospital, Dr. David Darkwah, has urged Ghanaians to take immediate action when stroke symptoms appear, stressing that every minute counts in saving lives and preventing permanent brain damage.
Speaking to Radio Ghana ahead of World Stroke Day, Dr. Darkwah explained that stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted, and if not treated quickly, the affected brain cells can suffer irreversible harm. Specialist at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and the Ho Teaching Hospital, Dr. Darkwah said one of the most effective ways to recognize a stroke early is to remember the FAST test an acronym for Face, Arm, Speech, and Time. F stands for Face: check if one side of the face droops. A for Arm: see if the person can raise both arms. S for Speech: listen for slurred or strange speech. T for Time: act immediately and get medical help.
He identified high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption as major risk factors for stroke, and cautioned that the condition is becoming a growing public health challenge in Ghana increasingly affecting younger people.
Dr. Darkwah noted that the effects of stroke can be devastating, not only for the individual but also for their family and community. He called on Ghanaians to adopt healthier lifestyles, exercise regularly, eat balanced diets, and go for routine medical check-ups to reduce their risk.
This year’s World Stroke Day, observed globally on October 29, is being marked under the theme “Every Minute Counts.” The theme highlights the urgent need for swift recognition and medical response when stroke symptoms appear.
Health experts worldwide warn that stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability, affecting over 12 million people each year, with nearly half of all cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
In Ghana, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service and partner organizations, is undertaking nationwide education campaigns and free health screenings to raise awareness about prevention and early treatment.
To commemorate the day, a health walk is being held from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to Accra Central, with similar activities including seminars and public education campaigns taking place in regions across the country.
As Ghana joins the rest of the world to mark the day, Dr. Darkwah and other health experts are reminding the public that when it comes to stroke, every minute truly counts.
