The University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) Stroke Unit on Wednesday held a free medical outreach in Ilorin, offering health tests and medications to indigent residents as part of activities marking the 2025 World Stroke Day.
Speaking during the exercise, the Head of the Stroke Unit, Prof. Kolawole Wahab, said the 2025 World Stroke Day theme, “Every Minute Counts,” underscores the importance of early intervention in preventing death and disability from stroke.
“Every minute counts when it comes to saving lives from stroke. The most common risk factor across the world remains hypertension,” Wahab said.
He expressed concern over Nigeria’s growing rate of stroke, describing the country as “the stroke capital of Africa” due to the high burden of hypertension.
“In Nigeria, about 114 people out of every 100,000 suffer from stroke. Every single minute, six Africans develop stroke. In one hour, 360 new cases occur — yet this is something that can be prevented,” he lamented.
Wahab explained that stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel bursts, leading to brain damage within minutes due to lack of oxygen and nutrients.
Dr. Alaofin Adetunji, a Consultant Neurologist at UITH, said the outreach aims to raise public awareness about stroke prevention and early detection.
He urged Nigerians to remember the acronym “BE-FAST” to identify stroke symptoms — Balance (sudden loss), Eyes (blurred vision), Face (drooping), Arm (weakness), Speech (slurred), and Time (act fast).
Adetunji also cautioned against smoking, alcohol consumption, drug abuse, and sedentary lifestyles, describing them as key contributors to stroke.
The Deputy Director of Nursing at the Stroke Care Unit, Mrs. Tejumola Yinka, said public enlightenment remains crucial to preventing stroke and encouraging early medical attention.
“When people are informed, they can easily recognize warning signs and seek timely help,” she noted.
Yinka added that the outreach provided free tests for hypertension, blood sugar levels, and medications for those in need.
The event drew large participation from residents who expressed gratitude to UITH for bringing life-saving services closer to the people.
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