High Stakes: Turning Evidence into Action

10 Dec 2025 Stroke prevention

The World Health Organisation report "High Stakes: Turning Evidence into Action," was released in September 2025, revealing 1.4 billion people live with hypertension, but only 1 in 5 have it controlled. The report calls for urgent action to scale up detection, treatment, and access to affordable medicines to prevent millions of deaths from strokes, heart attacks, and kidney disease.

Members of the global stroke support organisation network, Joseph Rukelibuga and Michael Uchunor added their voice to the urgent call for action. Both survivors of stroke and leading advocates in driving improvements in awareness, policy and support, their advocacy and influencing continues to grow at both national and international levels.

Joseph Rukelibuga is the president of Stroke Action Rwanda, a stroke support organisation founded by stroke survivors in 2021. Michael Uchunor, is the founder and Chairman of the Michael and Francisca Foundation, Nigeria,

The report highlights their experiences of managing hypertension:

“My biggest concern is that many people in my community cannot afford antihypertensive medicines. Even when diagnosed, they often go without treatment, not because they don’t care, but because the cost is too high. This is how hypertension quietly continues to harm families who are already struggling.” —Joseph Rukelibuga, Rwanda

''When I had my first stroke, no one explained what caused it. I spent over three months in the hospital and still didn’t understand what hypertension really was. It wasn’t until I had another stroke that I realized how serious it is. I wish someone had told me earlier. We need more awareness and education – people shouldn’t have to learn about hypertension the hard way.” —Michael Uchunor, Nigeria

Reflecting on the experience of contributing to the Global report on hypertension, Joseph said ''Participating in the hypertension report was an opportunity for me to call for action to address the barriers facing hypertension control needed to prevent complications and enhance patients' wellbeing. Many people in my community do not know that they have hypertension.Those who know it do not take it as a serious condition due to multiple barriers to access hypertension medicines and to adhere to treatment. As a stroke survivor, I know that uncontrolled blood pressure is a major risk for complications stroke, heart attack and kidney disease.''

Michael added ''Hypertension is truly a deadly disease which is often called a “silent killer” because it shows no symptoms until it has already caused serious damage. I never knew I was hypertensive. Back then, I lived a carefree lifestyle. I used to smoke, rarely exercised, and was overweight. I thought I was fine because I felt strong and active, not realizing that high blood pressure was quietly damaging my body from the inside. My dad was hypertensive, but I didn’t realize I had inherited it. Then, everything changed the day I had a stroke. That moment turned my world upside down and opened my eyes to the reality of this hidden danger. I came to understand that hypertension doesn’t discriminate and it can affect anyone, regardless of age, status, or background.The experience taught me valuable lessons: the importance of regular health checks, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, eating nutritious meals, and staying physically active.Today, I live with a renewed mindset of valuing my health above everything else. My journey has become a mission to raise awareness, so others won’t have to go through what I did. Hypertension is both preventable and manageable, but only if we take it seriously. Know your numbers, take action, and live healthy life because prevention is truly better than cure.''

Access the Global report on hypertension 2025