Stroke: Every Minute Counts as SAN Takes #ActFAST Campaign to Streets

On World Stroke Day, Stroke Action Nigeria (SAN) is launching a street campaign to raise awareness about stroke symptoms and the importance of immediate medical care. The "Know the Signs. #ActFAST. Every Minute Counts" initiative aims to educate Nigerians on identifying the warning signs of stroke and responding swiftly to a suspected stroke.

Poor public awareness, misconceptions, and delays in seeking medical attention continue to impact treatment outcomes, increasing the risk of deaths and disabilities. The campaign utilizes the internationally recognized FAST approach, which stands for Face, Arms, Speech, and Time, to help identify common stroke warning signs. SAN urges Nigerians to treat suspected stroke as a medical emergency, regardless of symptom severity or duration, and to seek urgent medical assessment.

The organisation is also targeting young people through its Stroke Champions School Engagement Programme, which aims to equip students with knowledge of stroke symptoms and the importance of early intervention. By educating young people, SAN hopes to build a generation capable of recognising stroke warning signs and communicating this information to their families and communities.

SAN is deploying digital platforms and public communication channels to expand the reach of the #ActFAST campaign and encourage public participation in stroke awareness efforts. The organisation emphasizes that stroke recognition should be a sustained public health priority, urging individuals, families, community leaders, and organisations to support efforts to improve public understanding of stroke and encourage timely access to appropriate medical care.