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When Una van Rhyn found her husband lying face down on the living room carpet last November, she feared the worst. Andrew, a 65-year-old contractor from Melkbosstrand in Cape Town, had been resting on the couch just moments earlier. Now he lay motionless, with his right side seemingly paralysed by what appeared to be a stroke.

What happened next, in Una’s words, was “an absolute stroke of luck, and God sent”. Her split-second decision not only saved her husband’s life but also saw him return to his contracting work just ten days later – a recovery that Una, who works with patients with autoimmune disorders, describes as extraordinary.

This isn’t a story about miracles. It’s about what happens when a clear-headed, snap decision meets world-class medical care. For Una and Andrew van Rhyn, it all began with a last-minute turn into the Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital car park.

“We were driving towards another hospital where Andrew’s regular doctor practised when he suffered what appeared to be a second stroke right there in the car. As his body went limp beside me, I made the decision that I believe saved his life – I pulled into the nearest hospital instead,” Una recalls.

Unbeknownst to her, Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital had just weeks earlier become the first hospital in the Western Cape to achieve World Stroke Organization (WSO) Essential Stroke Centre certification. It was one of only two in Africa – alongside Netcare Garden City Hospital in Gauteng – to earn this distinction.

Pic: Back on the trails: Andrew van Rhyn, 65, hiking near Cape Town just weeks after a stroke nearly claimed his life. A split-second decision by his wife, Una, to divert to Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital saved his life – and had him back at work in just 10 days.

 

Pic: Neurologist Dr Dinita Devchand at Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital, whose exceptional care saw 65-year-old contractor Andrew van Rhyn back at work just 10 days after suffering a severe stroke – remarkably faster than his recovery from a milder stroke in 2020.

 

Dedication that made all the difference
“Andrew was unresponsive when we arrived at Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital’s emergency department. When he finally came to, tears were streaming down his face. He kept trying to speak but could not form the words. I could see him struggling, desperate to say something,” recalls Una.

“It must have been terrifying, especially for someone like Andrew, who had already been through a mild stroke back in 2020. He has also been dealing with serious endocrine issues for nearly forty years,” she says.

“The entire emergency team was incredible. Dr Charl Carstens and the unit manager, Claudette Lotz, kept me fully informed throughout. When their shift ended at 7 pm, no one left. The whole team stayed until Andrew was stable and transferred to the ICU. That level of dedication made all the difference – healthcare professionals don’t get nearly enough recognition for this sort of commitment,” adds Una.

She described Dr Dinita Devchand, the neurologist who took over Andrew’s care, as exceptional. In 2020, Andrew’s mild stroke kept him in hospital for over a week. This time, with a more severe stroke, he managed to return to work in just ten days.

“I know it sounds strange to say this about a stroke, but the whole experience was actually as positive as something like this could turn out to be. The entire team was simply fantastic. They made all the difference,” she says.

Understanding stroke: A medical emergency
Dr Devchand explains that a stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, either by a blockage or a burst vessel. “When blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced, brain tissue can no longer get the oxygen and nutrients it needs. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die – a reality captured by the saying ‘Time is brain’.

“This critical neurological damage makes acute stroke a medical emergency where every second counts, and it is this urgency that drives every aspect of our treatment protocols, from the moment a patient enters through our emergency department to their recovery at Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital,” she notes.

The statistics underscore this urgency:

• 75 000 South Africans suffer strokes annually
• 25 000 of these cases are fatal
• Survivors face an estimated 95 000 collective years lived with disability
• At 316 per 100 000 people, sub-Saharan Africa has the world’s highest stroke incidence

What the WSO certification means for patients
The WSO certification signifies more than just recognition – it is a comprehensive system designed to ensure that patients receive evidence-based care that adheres to international standards. According to Sr Sylvia Ninham, nursing services manager at Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital, certification involves:

• Rapid assessment protocols that guarantee treatment within critical timeframes
• Specialist stroke teams trained to international standards
• Advanced imaging facilities and treatment options
• Extensive rehabilitation services
• Ongoing quality monitoring and enhancement

“These evidence-based standards directly influence patient outcomes. Quicker treatment times, access to the latest therapies, and teams equipped with proven protocols can mean the difference between full recovery and permanent disability,” says Sr Ninham.

Prevention: The first line of defence
While Andrew’s story clearly shows the importance of acute stroke care, Dr Devchand emphasises that up to 90% of strokes can be prevented through lifestyle changes and managing risk factors.

She outlines several key prevention strategies, including:

• Managing blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes
• Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight
• Limiting alcohol intake and avoiding smoking
• Reducing stress levels
• Regular medical check-ups, especially for those over 55

“Stroke is often called a ‘brain attack’ because it closely resembles what occurs during a heart attack. The same lifestyle changes that protect your heart can also help safeguard your brain,” explains Dr Devchand.

The difference that saves lives
“Andrew’s recovery underscores a vital principle: in stroke care, getting the right patient to the right facility at the right time can significantly influence outcomes. As South Africa faces one of the highest stroke rates globally, Andrew’s story sends an important message. Stroke is a medical emergency where every minute counts. Recognise the signs. Act promptly. And importantly, know where your nearest certified stroke centre is situated.
 
“Each stroke patient represents not just a medical case, but a life that can be saved or significantly improved through rapid, appropriate intervention,” emphasises Dr Devchand.

Ends

Notes to editors
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