Conceptual framework for establishing the African Stroke Organization

Abstract

Africa is the world's most genetically diverse, second largest, and second most populous continent, with over one billion people distributed across 54 countries. With a 23% lifetime risk of stroke, Africa has some of the highest rates of stroke worldwide and many occur in the prime of life with huge economic losses and grave implications for the individual, family, and the society in terms of mental capital, productivity, and socioeconomic progress. Tackling the escalating burden of stroke in Africa requires prioritized, multipronged, and inter-sectoral strategies tailored to the unique African epidemiological, cultural, socioeconomic, and lifestyle landscape. The African Stroke Organization (ASO) is a new pan-African coalition that brings together stroke researchers, clinicians, and other health-care professionals with participation of national and regional stroke societies and stroke support organizations. With a vision to reduce the rapidly increasing burden of stroke in Africa, the ASO has a four-pronged focus on (1) research, (2) capacity building, (3) development of stroke services, and (4) collaboration with all stakeholders. This will be delivered through advocacy, awareness, and empowerment initiatives to bring about people-focused changes in policy, clinical practice, and public education. In the spirit of the African philosophy of Ubuntu "I am because we are," the ASO will harness the power of diversity, inclusiveness, togetherness, and team work to build a strong, enduring, and impactful platform for tackling stroke in Africa.

Keywords: Africa; Stroke; conceptual framework; organization.

Figure 1.

ASO Conceptual Framework: The African map with a rich mosaic of a colourful network represents the rich genetic, cultural and geographical diversity in Africa. The interconnectivities represent the neuronal network of the brain. The interconnected individuals represents the African Ubuntu Philosophy of inclusiveness, cooperation and collaboration. The middle layer depicts the four core pillars of ASO activities: stroke research, capacity building programmes, development of stroke services and promotion of stroke awareness, advocacy and empowerment of stroke survivors, and their families and caregivers. The outer layer represents other core values of ASO: working with Partners to actualize People – focused positive changes in Policies and Practice in the science and practice of Stroke in the African region.