Low-cost artificial intelligence (AI), mobile healthcare applications, and school-level education are critical tools needed to curb the surging rate of stroke-related disability across Africa, according to Professor Jeyaraj Pandian, President of the World Stroke Organisation.
Speaking in an interview on Rise and Shine, Pandian highlighted the severe burden of stroke on the continent, noting that in several African countries, incidence rates reach as high as 260 cases per 100 000 people. He warned that global stroke-related loss of life and disability are projected to double by 2050 if immediate preventative measures are not implemented.
“More than two-thirds of all strokes occur in low- and middle-income countries,” Pandian said. “In Africa, high incidence and mortality rates are further compounded by a lack of financial resources needed to conduct proper epidemiological tracking.”
Pandian stressed that 90% of stroke cases stem from 10 modifiable risk factors, led globally by hypertension. In Africa, the threat is heightened by communicable diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis, alongside emerging environmental risks like air pollution.
To overcome severe shortages of specialised medical personnel, Pandian pointed to technological solutions currently being rolled out across the region. These include affordable AI systems capable of analysing brain scans without needing an on-site radiologist, enabling primary care clinics to connect to major medical hubs via telemedicine.
“When a stroke occurs, there is a golden hour of four-and-a-half hours to administer clot-busting treatment,” Pandian explained, noting that delay leads to severe disability that can devastate family economies, particularly when the victim is a primary breadwinner.
In addition to technological innovations, Pandian highlighted early public awareness, citing initiatives like the ‘FAST Heroes’ program. The initiative educates school children on identifying stroke symptoms, such as facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulty, empowering them to seek emergency care for parents and grandparents before the critical treatment window closes.
–ChannelAfrica–
