Stroke Strikes Boy, 4
"Take care of your body. Even old injuries can come back to hurt you," he said.
Friday 09 May 2025 | 13:18
Margaret Round, assistant secretary and volunteer project officer for Counterstroke Fiji. Inset: Stroke survivors (from top) Samisoni Nacanieli and Jacob Chand.
A four-year-old boy from Seaqaqa, Vanua Levu, is Fiji's youngest recorded stroke victim, health officials have confirmed, as cases among children and young adults continue to rise.
The boy suffered a stroke after witnessing a traumatic event. He now uses a wheelchair provided by Counterstroke Fiji, the organisation leading stroke awareness efforts this month.
"This child is the youngest we've seen. We're alarmed that more young people are now suffering strokes," said Margaret
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Round, assistant secretary and volunteer project officer for Counterstroke Fiji.
The organisation has also seen cases in a 12-year-old and several people in their 20s and 30s.
Most concerning, experts say, is the number of patients in their most productive working yearsbetween 40 and 60.
The Colonial War Memorial Hospital is recording about three new stroke cases each day. Assistant Minister for Health, Penioni Ravunawa, confirmed the disturbing trend.
"Traditionally, strokes were seen mostly in older adults. But now we're seeing younger people even children-suffer strokes. It's alarming," he said.
Mr Ravunawa said the rise was likely linked to poor lifestyle choices, including unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, and high stress levels.
In some cases, trauma was also a factor.
Jacob Chand, now 35, had a stroke at just 28 after a rugby injury.
He has since become a para-athlete and will represent Fiji at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau.
Another survivor, Samisoni Nacanieli, 63, suffered a stroke while working in Papua New Guinea in 2014.
He urged young people to look after their health.
"Take care of your body. Even old injuries can come back to hurt you," he said.
According to the World Health Organisation, stroke was Fiji's fourth leading cause of death in 2021, with 78.2 deaths per 100,000 people.
Counterstroke Fiji is running events throughout May to mark
Stroke Awareness Month, including Fiji Stroke Observance Day on May 23.
Questions sent to the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection on support for child stroke victims went unanswered.
Feedback: kaneta.naimatau@fijisun.com.fj
