As the world marks World Stroke Day on October 29, stroke survivors and health advocates in Zimbabwe are raising awareness about the devastating impact of strokes and calling for improved prevention and treatment.
Jacob Ngwenya, a health advocate with the Zimbabwe NCDs Action Network (ZNAN), emphasized that stroke remains a “silent epidemic” that shatters families and changes lives forever.
Globally, one in four people is expected to suffer a stroke in their lifetime, with over 12 million cases each year, half of which result in death. However, Ngwenya stressed that 90% of strokes are preventable through lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity.
This year’s #Greater Than Stroke Campaign focused on harnessing the power of sport to promote stroke prevention, encouraging people to get active and raise awareness. Stroke survivors who used physical activity to aid their recovery shared their stories, alongside healthcare workers who fight stroke daily both in hospitals and on the sports field.
Ngwenya expressed concern over the lack of public awareness and resources to combat stroke in Zimbabwe, where many survivors struggle to access rehabilitation.
He noted that only those with financial means can afford private therapy at home after hospital discharge, while those without resources risk severe disability or death.
“Stroke rehabilitation is a nightmare for many survivors. Without consistent access to therapy, the recovery journey is extremely difficult,” said Ngwenya. He called for the establishment of more specialized stroke units in hospitals to improve treatment outcomes.
ZNAN also highlighted the mental health challenges faced by both survivors and their caregivers, stressing the need for continuous psychological support. Caregivers often serve as the link between survivors and the community, placing a heavy burden on their mental well-being.
Ngwenya urged authorities to combat stigma and discrimination against people living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like stroke. “We need an enabling environment where people living with NCDs are prioritized in the national response,” he said.
The Zimbabwe NCDs Action Network, made up of individuals with lived experience of NCDs, continues to push for meaningful engagement in shaping policies and promoting better care for people living with NCDs across the country.
