This World Sickle Cell Day (observed every year on June 19), aims to raise awareness of sickle cell disorders.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited group of disorders where the red blood cells become deformed, forming the typical sickle shape. This comes with its attendant acute and chronic complications affecting a good number of organs in the body.
Nigeria has one of the highest burden of the disease in the world. Increasing its awareness is crucial because it is one disease that can be prevented if the relevant screening (determination of genotype ) is done.
Intending couples who hope to have kids should make it a point of duty to check their genotype to prevent having offspring’s who would have to endure the pain and suffering that comes with this disease.
Candid Recommendations
The SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands global campaign, launched in 2009 and celebrated annually on 5 May (World Hand Hygiene Day) aims to maintain global promotion, visibility and sustainability of hand hygiene in health care and to ‘bring people together’ in support of hand hygiene improvement around the world.
For World Hand Hygiene Day 2021, University of Benin Teaching Hospital keyed into the W.H.O campaign to call on health care workers and facilities to achieve effective hand hygiene action at the point of care. The point of care refers to the place where three elements come together: the patient, the health care worker, and care or treatment involving contact with the patient or their surroundings. To be effective and prevent transmission of infectious microorganisms during health care delivery, hand hygiene should be performed when it is needed (at 5 specific moments) and in the most effective way (by using the right technique with readily available products) at the point of care. This can be achieved by using the WHO multimodal hand hygiene improvement strategy.
The Neurology Unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital celebrated both the WORLD STROKE DAY 2020 and the 10th Anniversary of their Stroke Ward with the Theme: JOIN THE MOVEMENT. #JTM
The UBTH Stroke Ward(A5) is the first Stroke Ward in all of Nigeria and is 10 this year.
To commemorate this event, the Neurology Unit organized a Medical Outreach at Uselu market, in Egor LGA of Edo state. The outreach began with an awareness walk in the hospital before storming the market.
A health talk was delivered, highlighting the meaning of Stroke, early detection, the common risk factors and how to administer treatment, after which Traders emerged massively to have their blood pressure and blood glucose checked.
Guest lecture was delivered by Prof. Mustapha Abudu Danesi, (Professor of Medicine and Neurology).
STROKE RISK FACTORS
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Alcohol
• Cigarette smoking
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Family history
The University of Benin Teaching hospital as part of its commitment to Continuous Medical Education (CME), through its Infection Prevention and Control Committee, is organizing one week training programme on hand hygiene and waste management for all nurses
The event was declared open by the Chief Medical Director, ably represented by CMAC, Prof: C.O Omuemu.
In his address, the CMD reiterated Management’s commitment in ensuring quality care solutions in a safe environment for patients, healthcare workers and other persons through the practice of standard precautions, including hand hygiene and waste management. This exercise will start with the nurses, and continue with other professional groups.
In attendance at this training were Mrs Asamah Doris, Deputy Director, Nursing Services and other management staff.
The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Committee of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, as part of her activities to celebrate her anniversary on 19th November, 2020 commenced a week long hand hygiene health education programme.
The programme with the theme “Empowering Communities through Infection Prevention and Control” focused on health educating school students and staff around the hospital community on preventing infections via hand hygiene.
Schools visited included
University of Benin Demonstration Junior Secondary School
University of Benin Staff School
University of Benin Demonstration Senior Secondary School
UBTH Primary School
UBTH Secondary School
Hand hygiene facilities such as Veronica buckets, hand wash bowls, liquid soap, hand sanitizers and Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials on steps for hand washing/ use of alcohol based hand sanitizers were donated to the schools visited as part of our cooperate social responsibility.
Kudos to the UBTH management for the continous mentorship and provision of an enabling environment for the IPC Committee.
Today November 14th is WORLD DIABETES DAY with the theme – THE NURSE AND DIABETES. This is to raise awareness on the crucial role that nurses play in the prevention and management of diabetes. Presently, the International Diabetes Federation estimates that 1 out of every 10 persons is living with Diabetes and that every 8 seconds, someone dies from diabetes. With this alarming figures, it is recommended that we reduce our risk of diabetes, especially for Type 2 diabetes which is the most common type and yet largely preventable. We can reduce our risk of Type 2 diabetes by:
TOGETHER WE CAN DO IT.
Myth
Stroke is not treated in the hospital.
Reality
All stroke patients should be treated in the hospital and evaluated to find out why the stroke occurred and prevent a recurrence
Myth
A man can only suffer a stroke once in a lifetime.
Reality
Stroke can happen as many times as possible
Myth
Stroke patients should never be injected
Reality
Some of the first drugs used in the treatment of strokes are injected
Myth
The weak hand and leg of a stroke patient are where the problems are and where treatment should be applied
Reality
The brain is where stroke occurs. The weak hand and legs are the result of the damage done to the brain.
Myth
Stroke is caused by an evil arrow, there is nothing one can do to prevent it.
Reality
9 out of 10 persons who suffer a stroke had poorly controlled hypertension at one time or the other. The greatest risk factor for stroke is poorly controlled hypertension.
Myth
Stroke is a disease of old people
Reality
Stroke can occur in both the young and old. Anybody after age of 45 years is at risk of stroke, particularly if he/she has uncontrolled hypertension.