Stroke Association SupportNetwork-Ghana (SASNET Ghana) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization with a mission and vision to reduse the burden of Stroke in Ghana.
SASNET GHANA’S primary purpose includes advocacy, raising awareness, and health education/promotion, aimed at reducing the prevalence and incidence of stroke, CVD and NCDs in Ghana.
National Stroke Survivors’ Day is commemorated annually on the 16th of March to promote the right of persons with stroke and seek better care and support for persons with Stroke in Ghana.
The theme of this year’s event is that- “community-based rehabilitation improves the quality of community life after stroke for stroke survivors.” This is consistent with the strategic objective of the organisation to set up 275 constituency-based rehabilitation centres across the country for stroke survivors.
Stroke is a public health emergency, on the verge of becoming an epidemic. The organization, therefore, call on the Ghana government, philanthropists, donors, etc to help in the construction of the 275 constituency-based rehabilitation centres and support the implementation of our Community Life After Stroke Programme (CLASP) in order to rebuild the lives of those with Stroke, especially in communities where access to stroke support and rehabilitation are not available.
The COVID 19 situation had exposed gaps in Ghana’s health Structure, especially with regards to the treatment and care for Stroke in the country. Over 78% of persons affected with stroke are not able to access post-discharge support nor are they able to afford the cost for the treatment of which is currently not covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS).
These situations are the major hindrance to the recovery plan for persons living with strokes and a grave concern that must be addressed by the government. The situation has a tendency to result in the loss of lives of persons with Stroke or at times leads a second Stroke.
The Stroke Association Supportnetwork-Ghana (SASNET GHANA) on this special day ” National Stroke Survivors Day 2022″, call on the government of Ghana to act expediently to address these gaps identified in order to rebuild and save the lives of those Stroke in Ghana.
Ghanaians as well as persons with Stroke have the right to receive the right medical care and support as enshrined in the Constitution of Ghana.
Chief Dr. Ben S. Jabuni
President of SASNET GHANA
Mr. Samuel Sedodo
Chair Stroke Survivors and Executive member SASNET GHANA
Ad Adams Ebenezer
Executive director SASNET GHANA
