Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Acha Memorial Foundation delivers stroke prevention awareness in Nigeria

Background
Acha was established as a stroke support organization (SSO) in 2015 by brothers Timothy and MacDonald Oguike, after the death of their father following a stroke. The Oguike family found it very difficult to find the right information about stroke facts, treatment and rehabilitation and the brothers believe this contributed to their father’s death. Through its MasterStroke project, Acha aims to address the burden of stroke in Nigeria through: community stroke awareness and education campaigns; guidance on how to access the right stroke treatment and long term support; and advocacy to decision makers for improved government stroke awareness and risk management services.

Stroke prevention advocacy
MacDonald won the World Stroke Campaign Award 2015 for outstanding individual achievement for his leadership of Acha's MasterStroke program that used an impressive combination of media, social media and mobile technology to raise awareness and understanding of stroke throughout Nigeria.



In 2016 Acha participated in the World Stroke Organization Advocacy Toolkit workshop. In preparation for the workshop, Acha used the Advocacy Toolkit’s advocacy plan template to draft its own plan. This plan was then further refined through peer and WSO feedback.

Download WSO Advocacy Toolkit at: www.worldstrokecampaign.org

Acha’s advocacy goal is to secure government funding for free blood pressure checks. Acha know they need to build awareness, relationships and evidence to achieve their advocacy goal. In April 2017 they ran blood pressure events in 6 states. During these events they aimed to establish relationships with decision makers and capture data on high blood pressure incidence.

The findings
A total of 390 people had their blood pressure checked at the events. The results underline Acha’s aim to raise awareness of hypertension as a stroke risk factor, to secure free access to blood pressure checks and to support people to manage their risk. 

149 (38%) had hypertension (readings between 140-160/ 90-100). Within this number, a total of 57 (38%) people were under the age bracket of 18-44 years old. Additionally 87 (22%) of people's readings showed that they were in the pre-hypertension category (readings between 130-140/80-89). Within this number, a total of 51 (59%) were between the ages of 18-44 years old.

This means that 61% fall under the risk category for stroke! The results and outcome of this campaign reinforces to Acha the urgent need for awareness on hypertension and the need to manage blood pressure risk in Nigeria. 

For information on Acha Memorial Foundation, visit:



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