The National Referral Hospital in Thimphu will conduct a survey to understand the leading cause of stroke cases in country. At least one person suffering from stroke comes to the National Referral Hospital every day. In a year, over 200 stroke cases are reported in the country.
The Department of Public Health’s Director General, Dr. Dorji Wangchuk, said the survey is to find out the extent of the problem in the country. “We are trying to take population, both in rural and urban areas. This will lead us to do some interventions.”
Dr. Dorji Wangchuk said they are surveying 3,000 instead of 2,500 people, spread over all 20 dzongkhags.
Also referred to as cerebrovascular accident, stroke is the loss of brain function due to a disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. Old age, high blood pressure, previous stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol and smoking are some of the risk factors that lead to stroke.
In Bhutan diabetes and hypertension are seen as the two leading risk factors.
According to the World Health Organization, a person should take two grams of salt in a day. Studies have shown that Bhutanese take over 10 grams of salt daily. This increases the risk of hypertension which is a leading cause of stroke.
The Medical Specialist at the JDWNR Hospital, Dr.Tashi Wangdi, said in Bhutan more young people are suffering from stroke. “I think the awareness is so important.”
He said it is important for everyone to visit health facilities to check whether they are suffering from hypertension. “If they have hypertension, then they should be on medication.”
The Ministry of Health has been educating communities to lead a healthy lifestyle. Stroke is one of the three most common non-communicable diseases along with type II diabetes and hypertension.
People over 30 are at higher risk of getting a stroke. It can cause paralysis and can even lead to death. Once detected, the patient is prescribed with lifelong medications
