UBTH campaigns against VTE

• Reveals 2 in 4 deaths in hospitals due to causes related to blood clots.  

L-R: Consultant Cardiologist, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Dr.(Mrs) A. Ogbomo; Consultant Radio-Oncologist Dr. Mrs Lucy Eriba; Chief Medical Director, Prof. Darlington Obaseki; Cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Stanley Okugbo, Consultant Hematologist, Prof.(Mrs) Omolade Awodu, and Consultant Neurosurgeon Prof. David Udoh at the UBTH World Thrombosis Day rally yesterday

Amid reports that blood clot within the veins, referred to in medical parlance as Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), remains the leading cause of preventable deaths in hospitals, the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) yesterday embarked on a massive campaign to sensitize staff and patients on the deadly condition.

The event was to commemorate the 2021 World Thrombosis Day, an event designed to increase global awareness on the causes, risk factors, signs, symptoms, prevention and treatment of thrombosis.  

Speaking at a rally organised by the hospital to sensitise patients and staff in all departments, Chief Medical Director, Prof. Darlington Obaseki described  thrombosis as an abnormal blood clot in the vessels and  a potential dangerous condition that could lead to heart failure, stroke and the commonest cause of death.

He called on care givers, patients and the general public to seize the opportunity offered by the World Thrombosis Day events to learn about the condition and what to do to prevent unnecessary death currently being attributed to it.

Dr Stanley Okugbo a Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon in a  presentation at the rally said “thrombosis which is also known as blood clot is the number 1 silent killer of patients admitted in hospitals”. He disclosed that VTE is common and is associated with “significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized medically ill and surgical cancer patients.”

According to him, 55%to 60% of VTE cases occur during or following hospitalization adding that 2 in 4 people in the hospital would die from causes related to blood clots.  

He said thrombosis usually forms in the extremities (hands and legs) and is one of the causes of sudden deaths. Knowledge of thrombosis can help in preventing it. He highlighted some symptoms to be; swellings in legs & arms that comes without warning,  pains & soreness when walking or standing, Warm or hot sensations in the area that hurts. However, in many instances, there may not symptoms at all. 

Those at risk includes, the elderly, those with serious health issues, those on birth control pills, people suffering from obesity and those with high cholesterol levels. 

Steps in the prevention of thrombosis, according to Dr. Okugbo include: to avoid sitting for too long or too much and engaging in regular exercises.

The events were rounded off with  webinar organised by the hospital for multi specialty participants from across the nation to exchange ideas towards better understanding of the condition in the country.

Although the World Thrombosis Day  is marked globally on October 13, this year’s edition was observed in Nigeria by UBTH on October 28. This, according to the hospital, is to ensure that  the message about the condition gets to every Nigerian.

World thrombosis day was first observed in 2014 by the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis in response to members request for a focus global awareness day on thrombosis. The theme for this years celebration is “Eyes Open to Thrombosis”.