Otunba Abdulrahman Olubunmi Osoba is a specialist in the treatment of stroke. He is the Chief Executive Officer of a Non- Governmental Organization (NGO), Stroke Prevention and Care Initiative. He has offices in Lagos, Iperu Remo, Ogun State, PortHarcourt, Ogbomoso, Ibadan. He has a herbal company called THE HERBS EMBASSY where the herbs used in healing stroke patients are being produced. In this interview, he spoke about the activities of his NGO, How to detect a stroke patient, the symptoms and preventive measures to take. Excerpts:
To begin with, what is a stroke?
A stroke, or brain attack, happens when blood flow to your brain is stopped. It is an emergency situation.
The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients in order to work well. If blood supply is stopped even for a short time, this can cause problems. Brain cells begin to die after just a few minutes without blood or oxygen.
When brain cells die, brain function is lost. You may not be able to do things that are controlled by that part of the brain.
As a specialist in the treatment of stroke, can you tell us some of the symptoms of stroke?
If you or someone you’re with may be having a stroke, pay attention to the time the symptoms began. Some treatments are most effective when given soon after a stroke begins. Some of the symptoms are:
Trouble speaking and understanding what others are saying: A person having a stroke may be confused, slur words or may not be able to understand speech.
Numbness, weakness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg: This often affects just one side of the body. The person can try to raise both arms over the head. If one arm begins to fall, it may be a sign of a stroke. Also, one side of the mouth may droop when trying to smile.
Problems seeing in one or both eyes: The person may suddenly have blurred or blackened vision in one or both eyes. Or the person may see double.
Headache: A sudden, severe headache may be a symptom of a stroke. Vomiting, dizziness and a change in consciousness may occur with the headache.
Trouble walking: Someone having a stroke may stumble or lose balance or coordination.
How did you come about treating stroke?
I was born into the profession almost 60 years ago. I know the nitty-gritty of the herbs used in treating stroke. It’s not a new thing to me at all. Infact, since I started treating stroke patients, I have lost count of those people I have treated. If am not exaggerating at least I have healed over 100 stroke patients with herbs.
But you said your company is an NGO?
Yes, it is in the sense that we help in subsidizing the prices of the drugs and other treatments. We go to hospitals to give lectures to patients of stroke by telling them the causes, prevention and others.
Why are you using herbs and not tablets or capsules to treat stroke patients?
Let me tell you today that all those tablets or capsules were prepared with chemical substances and this also affects the body. Herbs is the best to treat stroke. Before modernisation, our forefathers used herbs in treating themselves and that was the major reason they grow up to 150, 200 etc. For instance, if a stroke patient is flown abroad say China, it’s herb drugs they will use in treating them. We also have trained physiotherapist that we sometimes recommend to patients and also introduce machines that can be used in doing exercise. Stroke is one of those sickness that’s easy to heal with some months if the person is quickly brought to us.
What are those risk factors of stroke?
Some of stroke risk factors, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Do you do outdoor services? I mean do you go to patients house if you’re invited to treat them?
Why not? That’s part of our job. It depends on the patient. If it’s the kind of person that maybe where he resides is far from our office, we always go to attend to them in their state of residence. As an NGO, we make sure we don’t stress patients. We adhere to their request. We do travel as far as Abuja to treat patients and at the end of the day, they get well by the grace of God.
Do you have any incentives for your patients?
Yes! During festive periods, we bring our clients together for a get-together party where we chat, listen to lectures, eat and merry. We also give them gifts when going home. This year’s get-together is going to hold during ileya period.
What’s your advise to Nigerians?
My advise is a simple one. They should try as much as possible to know their body system. After this, they should look for a well known practitioner that knows the solution to stroke. We are open 24/7.
As an NGO, can you do this alone?
Thank you for this question. Not at all. All over the years, we have been doing it all alone with the little resources we have. I want to appeal to corporate organizations, individuals, foreign donors to support us in fighting this scourge. It will be appreciated. It has not been easy with us doing it alone. Treatment of stroke requires a lot of money. And thank God, we treat and God cures. We have never failed in our responsibilities for once. In case you want to support us, this is our account details; STROKE PREVENTION and CARE INITIATIVE,,,,,1020981159, UBA.
Contact number: 08168890281