LABASA Hospital recorded an average of 20 stroke patients every month over the last two years.
The hospital’s medical registrar, Dr Avneel Chandra revealed the alarming figures during a presentation at a recent Fiji Medical Association mini conference in Labasa.
He said the hospital received 245 stroke cases in 2024 and 249 cases in 2025.
Dr Chandra said this meant the hospital recorded at least 20 stroke cases per month.
“For this year alone, from January to May, we already have 115 cases,” he said.
This, he said, was already higher than previous years, with the average increasing to about 23 to 24 cases per month.
“Most patients are between the ages of 56 and 65, but cases among people aged 45 to 55 are also increasing.”
Dr Chandra explained most cases were linked to ischemic stroke but the diagnosis was limited due to the lack of imaging.
“This trend is worrying because it shows stroke is affecting people in their productive years.
“The data is also based mainly on Labasa Hospital cases and does not include health centres, nursing stations and other subdivisions.”
He said most cases were recorded as ischemic strokes, and proper classification is limited due to a lack of imaging services.
