Aytül Özdil, a board member of the Turkish Cypriot Physiotherapists Association (KTFD), issued a statement on World Stroke Day, October 29, stressing that timely intervention in stroke cases saves lives and that early access to rehabilitation is critical for long-term quality of life.
Ozdil expressed support for the World Stroke Organization's 'Every Minute Counts' and 'Act FAST' campaigns, urging the public to call an ambulance immediately if they notice sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, or speech difficulties. She also warned that sudden loss of balance and changes in vision can be early signs of a stroke, adding that symptoms that appear to resolve on their own do not eliminate the need for urgent medical assessment.
Noting that stroke can impair movement, balance, sensation and communication, Özdil emphasized that rehabilitation must begin at the right time and be carried out through close cooperation between physiotherapists and other health professionals.
Özdil further stressed that access to rehabilitation services should not end at hospital discharge and should not depend solely on the financial means of the patient or their family. She said the KTFD advocates for continuous, accessible rehabilitation regardless of where a person lives or their economic circumstances, concluding: "The care we show in saving a life must also accompany the continuation of that life."
