# The Gauteng Health Department emphasised the urgent need for community members to recognise the early signs of stroke and take immediate action. Today marks World Stroke Day, to underscore the serious nature and high rates of stroke. The department says in recent years, the Gauteng Province has reported over 32-thousand new cases of strokes between 2020 and 2024, leading to 105-thousand-441 follow-up cases. It says a stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is being restricted, preventing brain cells from receiving enough oxygen and important nutrients.
World Stroke Day: Communities urged to act fast to save lives following a stroke