In today’s fast-paced world, especially for Africans in the diaspora balancing work, family, and the pressures of daily life, health can sometimes take a back seat.

We can get carried away by  Yet, few health conditions demand as much urgency and awareness as a stroke.

Often sudden and life-threatening, a stroke can have long-term consequences but early recognition of its warning signs can make all the difference.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off, either due to a blockage or a burst blood vessel.

When this happens, brain cells begin to die within minutes. According to health experts, acting fast is crucial, as immediate medical attention can greatly reduce the risk of death or a permanent disability.

One of the most important things anyone can do is to learn the early signs of a stroke.

These typically include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.

Difficulty speaking or understanding speech, blurred or lost vision in one or both eyes, dizziness, and a sudden severe headache with no clear cause are also red flags.

To help people remember these symptoms, doctors recommend remembering face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty and time to call for emergency services, in order to save a loved one.

For members of the African and Black diaspora, the stakes are particularly high. Research has shown that people of African descent have a higher risk of hypertension which is a major cause of stroke, as well as other underlying conditions like diabetes.

Lifestyle changes in new environments, such as increased stress, poor diet, or sedentary habits can make this risk become even greater.

Preventing stroke begins with awareness and action. Activities like regular health check-ups, managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, staying physically active, eating a balanced diet, and reducing alcohol and tobacco use are crucial steps to take in preventing this illness.

Equally important is knowing when something is not right and seeking help immediately.

In our communities, where stories of sudden illness are very common, education about stroke needs to become part of everyday conversations.

It is not just a medical issue, it is a lifestyle concern, a family issue, and a community responsibility.

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Member States have formally adopted the world’s first Pandemic Agreement, marking a significant milestone in the global response to pandemics.

The agreement, adopted by consensus at the 78th World Health Assembly, aims to make the world safer and more equitable in response to future pandemics.

WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, hailed the adoption of the Pandemic Agreement as a “victory for public health, science, and multilateral action.”

He emphasized that the agreement will enable the international community to better protect the world from future pandemic threats and ensure that citizens, societies, and economies are not left vulnerable to suffer losses like those endured during COVID-19.

The Pandemic Agreement sets out principles, approaches, and tools for better international coordination across a range of areas, including equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.

The agreement emphasizes the importance of ensuring timely and equitable access to life-saving pandemic-related health products while respecting national sovereignty.

The adoption of the Pandemic Agreement marks the beginning of a new era of global health cooperation.

An Intergovernmental Working Group will be established to develop a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system, which will be considered at next year’s World Health Assembly. After 60 ratifications, the agreement will enter into force.

Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, Secretary of the Philippines Department of Health and President of this year’s World Health Assembly, noted that now that the Agreement has been brought to life, all parties must act with the same urgency to implement its critical elements, including systems, to ensure equitable access to life-saving pandemic-related health products.

The Pandemic Agreement offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure that people worldwide are better protected if a future pandemic emerges.

The agreement’s emphasis on equitable access to health products, national sovereignty, and international cooperation will help to ensure that the world is better prepared to face future pandemic threats.

The Government of Grenada has signed a long-term collaboration agreement with the New York-based Mount Sinai Health System, a globally recognised academic medical centre.

The partnership marks a major milestone in the transformation of Grenada’s healthcare system and will see the Mount Sinai team advise on the design, development, and clinical operations of the new Hope Vale hospital.

The hospital, being developed under Project Polaris, will form part of an 84-acre state-of-the-art medical city and will offer advanced clinical services and enhanced access to high-quality medical care for all Grenadians and residents of the Eastern Caribbean.

The Minister for Health, Honourable Phillip Telesford, announced the development, saying it symbolises the government’s deep commitment to providing world-class healthcare for every citizen.

“This partnership with Mount Sinai represents more than the construction of a new hospital,” Minister Telesford said. “It is a critical step towards realising our vision of becoming the medical capital of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).”

Dr. Szabi Dorotovics, President of Mount Sinai International, expressed his organization’s commitment to collaborating with Grenada to enhance access to advanced, high-quality healthcare for all Grenadians.

“We are honoured to be chosen by the Government of Grenada as its strategic partner in the long-term development of the country’s healthcare system,” he said.

The Mount Sinai team has already begun assisting the Grenada General Hospital in strengthening its operations, quality and safety systems, and human resources.

This long-term collaboration further reinforces the Government’s commitment to transforming its healthcare system.

The Hope Vale Medical City, anchored by the new hospital, will provide world-class care, advanced medical training, and opportunities for medical tourism and biotech investment.

With a commitment to sustainability and digital integration, the medical city is designed to be climate-resilient and technologically advanced, offering a blueprint for the future of healthcare in small island developing states.

The partnership is expected to have a significant impact on Grenada’s healthcare sector, positioning the country as a leader in Caribbean health innovation.