KATH records 4 to 6 new stroke cases daily, over 1,000 annually – Neurologist reveals disturbing trend among youth

The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has raised alarm over a sharp increase in stroke cases reported to the facility, describing the trend as a major public health concern.

The concern was highlighted during a free health screening exercise organised by the KATH Stroke Centre of Excellence in partnership with the Member of Parliament for Manso Nkwanta Constituency.

The exercise, held at Antoakrom for residents within the constituency, formed part of activities to mark World Stroke Day.

Speaking at the event, a Neurologist and Head of the Multidisciplinary Stroke Team at KATH, Dr. Priscilla Abrafi Asafo Adjei, disclosed that the hospital records between four and six new stroke cases daily, translating into over 1,000 cases annually.

"Stroke cases have been rising at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Our data indicates that four to six cases are recorded every day and over a thousand cases are recorded yearly," she stated.

Dr. Asafo Adjei expressed worry that the majority of the cases involve young adults, a development she described as disturbing.

"The worrying issue is that the affected people are mostly young, aged between 20 and 40 years," she said.

She attributed the rising cases to both medical and lifestyle-related risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, stress and lack of physical activity.

Dr. Asafo Adjei also noted that non-adherence to medication among persons diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes is a major contributing factor.

"Most of the stroke patients we see failed to take their medications seriously as prescribed. We advise them to adhere to their treatment regimen," she added.

The Amansie West District Director of Health, Dr. Bernard Bediako, said the screening exercise was necessitated by disturbing trends recorded at health facilities across the district, where hypertension and diabetes, the two leading risk factors for stroke, are fast rising.

According to him, hypertension has consistently featured among the top ten causes of Outpatient Department (OPD) attendance in the district, a situation that previously was associated with the elderly but is now shifting to younger age groups.

"If you look at our OPD cases, as part of the top ten OPD cases we have hypertension as part of it, which is ranging between five and six per cent of our OPD cases and this is not something we should relax upon because we are realising that the youth are also getting it, those in their twenties, thirties and forties are also recording high blood pressure. That is why we want to pick the cases early," Dr. Bediako said.

He said the directorate therefore decided to partner with the KATH Stroke Centre of Excellence and the MP for Manso Nkwanta to take screening and education directly to the communities to ensure early detection and prompt referral.

He emphasized that early detection not only saves lives but also reduces the financial burden on families and the health system, as stroke care and rehabilitation are costly and often require long-term support.

Dr. Bediako therefore appealed to residents, especially the youth, to take advantage of regular health screening exercises, know their blood pressure and blood sugar status, adhere to prescribed medications, and adopt healthy lifestyles including regular exercise, healthy eating, reduced alcohol intake and avoidance of tobacco.

He added that the District Health Directorate will intensify community health education and routine screening in markets, churches and schools to capture more people before complications develop.

World Stroke Day is instituted by the World Stroke Organisation to raise awareness about stroke prevention, early detection, treatment, and to support survivors. It is observed annually on October 29. This year’s celebration is on the theme, “Every Minute Counts– #ActFAST".

In line with the celebration, the screening, which attracted hundreds of residents within the constituency, aimed at promoting early detection and prevention of stroke and other non-communicable diseases.

The medical team advised residents to adopt healthy lifestyles, reduce salt and alcohol intake, avoid smoking, exercise regularly, check their blood pressure and blood sugar levels frequently, and seek early medical attention when they experience warning signs such as sudden weakness of the limbs, slurred speech, facial drooping, or severe headache.

The MP for Manso Nkwanta, Hon. Tweneboah Kodua Fokuo, commended KATH for extending the outreach to the constituency and pledged continued support for health interventions that will improve the well-being of his constituents.