Stroke in medical terms is a loss of blood flow to parts of the brain, which damages brain tissue. It is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, according to the National Library of Medicine, and it is likely to worsen in developing countries over the next two decades based on the projections by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Of late, however, there has been an increasing rate of recovery among Nigerians. But, what is responsible for this recent development? This story by ISIOMA MADIKE tends to answer the riddle.

Stroke is said to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, according to the National Library of Medicine. Based on its projections, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said, it is likely to worsen in developing countries over the next two decades, if nothing serious is done to arrest the trend. With the scourge of HIV/AIDS and the battle against other communicable diseases like multi-drug resistant malaria and tuberculosis, Nigeria, the most populous black nation in the world, according to medical experts, stands to risk the further straining of its resources as a result of the increasing prevalence of stroke and other cardiovascular dis- eases due to epidemiological transition. The current prevalence of stroke in Nigeria, reports say, is 1.14 per 1000 while the 30-day case fatality rate is as high as 40 per cent. Even at that, management of the disease, medics further stated, is largely conservative while there is little or no funding for high-quality research. Primary prevention, they added, is the key to reducing the burden of the disease in a country with such poor resources. According to the experts, a stroke can occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked or there is sudden bleeding in the brain. There are two types of strokes. A stroke that occurs because blood flow to the brain is blocked is called an ischemic stroke. It means the brain cannot get oxygen and nutrients from the blood. The other is a sudden bleeding in the brain, known as haemorrhagic stroke.

Recovering from stroke

Interestingly, so many Nigerians have been recovering well from the clutches of stroke. However, proceeding to hospital immediately when a stroke occurs is crucial, according to medical experts, for early intervention that would minimise its magnitude. But investigations have shown that most stroke patients in developing countries, particularly in Nigeria, prefer herbal centres to hospitals.

A traditionalist cured me after orthodox method failed –Mrs Balogun

Mrs Abike Balogun is one of those thanking God for freeing her from stroke paralysis. Balogun lives at the popular Oluwole Estate in Ogba, La- gos. She told this reporter that she was cured of decades of stroke paralysis with a combination of snail oil, coconut water, and various kinds of leaves. It was an amazing, torturous journey, she said. She narrated: “I remember how it all started in 2017. That night I started having some funny feelings; a tingling sensation in my legs. Initially, I thought it was mere tiredness. But, when I couldn’t wake up as freely as I used to, I knew something was wrong. When I managed to wake up that morning, I discovered I could hardly move my legs. “I quickly alerted my first daughter, who was proactive enough to rush me to a private hospital within our neighbourhood. But when my condition continued to deteriorate, the doctor at the hospital suggested a referral to a government hospital which my daughter consented to. It was in the government hospital that

I was diagnosed with partial paralysis.

And treatment started immediately. For months I was receiving treatment in the hospital without any sign of improvement. “It was at that point that my son in-law decided to fly me abroad for further and better management of my illness because he did not want me to die. However, my going abroad, India to be specific, did not help matters as I failed to recover as anticipated. I had to return home since the overseas trip didn’t give me the desired result. “It was after my return from India that a family friend suggested we try a traditional healing method. But because I had tried orthodox medicine and it failed, I reluctantly yielded to his suggestion. After some persuasion, I agreed to follow her to a traditionalist where I eventually found a solution to my plight.” The traditional doctor Balogun was introduced to possess the ability to speak and understand the language of leaves. Thus, he could command them to do whatever he wanted them to do. Indeed, the traditionalist was versed in the knowledge of roots and leaves. He could speak to and get leaves to do what he wanted. The man, who lives in the OrileAgege area of Lagos State, introduced himself only as Alfa. He said: “I understand them and I know when to cut a leaf, how to cut it and what to say to it before cutting it, to retain its potency. At times, if I cannot get the leaves and roots here in Lagos, I’d travel to neighbouring states, to get them. “When they brought her to me, I consulted my oracle to know how I could approach her case. I routinely do this because no two cases are the same and the healing methods often differ. It was after my consultation with the oracle that the origin of her illness was revealed to me and how best to approach it to get the desired result. I then started and gave her the required spiritual items to use. “My formula is simple: Snail oil, coconut water and various kinds of leaves. However, I don’t charge people or ask for gratification for what I do. When they are cured, they can come back, if they so wish, to give whatever comes from their mind. This is the instruction given to me by my guardian spirit which monitors what I do. I am happy my approach worked and we thank God for that. I have cured many others before her.” I was ashamed of being the way I was “I was a normal active child in school. But at 31 years old, I had my first stroke. About a year later I suf- fered a second stroke. This left me unable to walk or use my left arm. I had to spend months in the hospital. I was allowed home but had to use a wheelchair. “My father gave up his job to look after me. I was very determined to walk again – it took me some years to learn to walk using supports. I couldn’t get in and out of the bath