​Thembisa Shologu
MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has made a clarion call to all health professionals to work in unity by using a multidisciplinary approach to tackle stroke.
Addressing the department's third Stroke Rehabilitation Research Conference in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko said that this integration would work seamlessly by also involving communities and families as no one discipline, or profession would win this fight. 
The two-day conference is an opportunity to exchange knowledge and research insights to shape the future of stroke rehabilitation in the province.
"The cycle of care will never be complete if families and loved ones are left behind. We must empower caregivers and ensure patients continue to receive support long after leaving the hospital. 
"Community-based rehabilitation, early mobilisation within 24 to 48 hours, and emotional and cognitive support are all crucial elements.
"Finally, we focus on interventions. Research without implementation is a missed opportunity. We must translate our findings into concrete actions that transform services on the ground," said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
According to the Global Burden of Disease study, stroke has emerged as a critical global health challenge affecting 12.2 million new stroke patients worldwide. 
In Gauteng, stroke is among the top three burdens of Non-Communicable Diseases and the data for the past 6 years (2019/2020 until 2024/250) shows that over 32,000 new stroke cases have been referred for physiotherapy rehabilitation with over 105 441 follow-ups sessions recorded during the same period. 
The event is held under the theme: 'Advancing Stroke Rehabilitation Through Innovations, Integration & Interventions'.
"This theme is not simply a slogan it is a call to action for all of us in this room to reimagine stroke care. It is a call to put forward new ideas, to work together across disciplines, and to find real, practical solutions that can change the lives of people.
"Behind each of these numbers is a story of a mother, a father, a friend, or a colleague whose lives changed in an instant and who require our support to regain their independence and dignity," she said.
In addition, Nkomo-Ralehoko said the department was exploring the use of virtual reality to make rehabilitation more engaging and effective.
She also said that the department needed to expand stroke units in hospitals managing high volumes of stroke patients, as recommended by the African Stroke Leaders' Summit.
"The focus on innovation is critical. We have seen promising advances in thrombolytic therapy, which helps dissolve dangerous clots quickly. 
"We are witnessing the power of neuroplasticity-based therapy, which harnesses the brain's remarkable ability to reorganize and adapt. 
"These innovations must not remain confined to research papers and conferences, they must become standard practice, accessible to every stroke survivor in Gauteng," she said.
Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy at Wits University, Dr. Kganetso Sekome, highlighted diet and lifestyle as key drivers of hypertension which is a major cause of stroke. 
He cited high salt intake, white bread, processed meat and lack of exercise as the top contributors to the disease.
"We did research in South Africa where we know the common cause of stroke is hypertension and hypertension increases blood pressure, and most people do not know they have it because it does not have symptoms. 
"I am mostly interested in how we can prevent hypertension especially in the rural areas of our country because those are the areas that need attention because of the lack of resources. 
"People are taking their medication as they should, but the level of control is very low because we are not contextualising our advice when it comes to physical activity as well as diet," said Dr. Sekome.