World Stroke Day 2025: Nigerians Urged to Act Fast and Stop Strokes

Bennett Oghifo

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world today to mark World Stroke Day 2025, a non-profit organisation, Stroke Action Nigeria, has called on Nigerians to take charge of their health and join efforts to prevent and reduce the growing number of stroke cases across the country.

To commemorate this year’s World Stroke Day, Stroke Action Nigeria, working closely with the Federal Ministry of Health and several partners, is implementing community-based activities across different states.

These activities include free stroke risk assessments and monitoring for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and body mass index; weekly fitness sessions tagged Park Walk and Run Against Stroke to promote exercise and weight management for citizens with high BMI; and a series of Stroke Assemblies – conferences, seminars and workshops designed to increase public awareness and understanding of stroke prevention, stroke signs and symptoms, emergency response, and post-stroke rehabilitation for survivors.

The Chief Executive of Stroke Action Nigeria and Board Member of the World Stroke Organization, Dr. Rita Melifonwu, said her organisation in partnership with the World Stroke Organization (WSO), Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Onitsha, Asaba Specialist Hospital, and FMC Asaba, will lead a nationwide awareness campaign themed “Power to STOP Strokes in Nigeria.”

The campaign, she said, focuses on education and empowerment, helping Nigerians understand how to prevent strokes, recognise warning signs early, and support survivors and their families.

Dr. Melifonwu said across Anambra and Delta states, over 203 trained Stroke Champions are spreading the message in schools, universities, workplaces, and communities.

They are encouraging citizens to #ActFAST – by learning to recognise the early symptoms of stroke, make simple lifestyle changes, and take swift action that could save lives.

She emphasised the importance of citizen-driven action. “Every Nigerian has the power to stop strokes,” she said.

“By equipping ourselves with the knowledge to prevent and act fast when stroke strikes, we can drastically reduce the number of lives and families affected by this devastating condition.”

Dr. Melifonwu, who also serves as Co-Chair of the Case Management, Research and Surveillance Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Technical Working Group at the Federal Ministry of Health, noted that early detection and rapid action are critical to saving lives.

She said there is the need for quality stroke care and stronger community engagement in Nigeria.

She added that Stroke Action Nigeria will continue to champion improved prevention, care, and rehabilitation services nationwide.

Through collaboration with both local and international partners, the rganization provides education, advocacy, and rehabilitation support to improve the quality of life for stroke survivors and their families.

She called on Nigerians who wish to become Stroke Champions or learn more about stroke prevention to visit the Stroke Action Nigeria website and join the STOP STROKES movement aimed at empowering communities and saving lives.