KUANTAN: The National Stroke Association of Malaysia (Nasam) rehabilitation care centres provide all the necessary support to help stroke survivors believe in the possibility of life after stroke.
Nasam board member Datuk Ng Koong Sinn emphasised the pivotal role played by Nasam centres in facilitating rehabilitation and providing essential support for survivors in coping with post-stroke challenges.
"What is important to Nasam is creating awareness. When someone experiences a stroke, they may feel they have lost everything, including their daily mobility, and may be inclined to lose hope.
"Nasam offers a support centre where they (patients) can come and meet others who have faced a similar fate. This (interaction) helps them to understand that there is life after stroke and not to easily give up," he told reporters when met after Nasam Kuantan Colour Walk 2023 held in conjunction with World Stroke Day today(Oct 29) at the Kuantan City Council field here today.
Ng added that Nasam currently operates eight centres nationwide, with the latest one established in Kuantan some 14 years ago.
"Kuantan became our eighth centre, commencing operations in 2009. We hope to establish more centres across the country and to continue growing, but our expansion has been constrained by various factors, including insufficient funds.. we appeal to the public for support.
"In addition to the support centre, Nasam conducts public talks on stroke prevention to raise awareness and provide accurate information about stroke to the public," he said.
On Nasam rehabilitation care centres, Ng said it offers both individual and group therapy sessions, which are conducted during the weekdays.
Pahang Health director Datuk Dr Nor Azimi Yunus was represented by deputy director (medical division) Datuk Dr Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Muhammad to flag off the Kuantan Colour Walk 2023, which attracted some 400 participants including stroke patients, their family members and the public.
Meanwhile, Dr Wan Abdul Rahim in his speech described Nasam's Colour Walk programme as vital to raise public awareness on stroke.
He noted that participation in such events can contribute to reducing the risk of stroke, a condition that is preventable.
World Stroke Day, observed annually on Oct 29, aims to raise awareness about stroke and promote preventive measures.