By Françios Kwatani

Public health expert Dorothy Ngoma has commended the opening of the first ever stroke unit at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre.

The unit which will rehabilitate and provide treatment to stroke patients, has been set up with support from University College London Hospitals.

In an interview with YFM Online, Ngoma said the recovery process for stroke patients is long term therefore the introduction of the unit will help reduce the impact that stroke has on patients.

“Stroke has many negative effects on patients as it affect them physically and psychosocially and also their condition affects their families or guardians,” Ngoma said.

She added that it is in her belief that the unit is equipped with qualified specialists and materials to ensure professionalism when treating the patients.

Ngoma further called on various stakeholders to support the health sector in order to establish stroke units in various districts across the country.