When 73-year-old Leon Vermaak showed signs of having a stroke, his wife Sonja acted immediately. Recognising the symptoms and living close to Johannesburg Surgical Hospital (JSH), she was able to get Leon through the facility’s doors within half an hour. A decision that ultimately saved his life.

A Story of Speed, Precision, and Hope

Sonja recalls how, when they arrived at JSH, the staff were waiting with a wheelchair and immediately ushered Leon into the Emergency Unit. “I wasn’t asked to fill in any forms until later,” she says. “The focus was entirely on helping my husband. The staff were swift, helpful, and communicated with me every step of the way.”

Within an hour, Leon was stabilised and admitted to the ICU, with his medical aid already contacted by JSH’s admin team.

Recognising the Signs, Acting Fast

Neurologist Dr Pardeep Rowji highlights how Leon presented with a sudden weakness on the left side of his body – classic symptoms of a stroke. Thanks to Sonja’s quick thinking, treatment was started within the crucial time window.

Patients are encouraged to remember the acronym FAST:

• F – Facial drooping
• A – Arm weakness
• S – Slurred speech
• T – Time to get to the hospital

The sooner a patient arrives, the better the chances of recovery.

Cutting-Edge Stroke Treatment at Johannesburg Surgical Hospital

JSH is fully equipped for advanced stroke management, including:

• Clot-busting medication (effective only if given within the first 4.5 hours)
• Mechanical thrombectomy, where a catheter removes the clot directly from the brain

Leon’s recovery is a testament to what’s possible when time, expertise, and teamwork come together. At Johannesburg Surgical Hospital, our multidisciplinary teams are ready around the clock to deliver rapid, life-saving stroke care, giving patients the best chance at recovery.