Nigeria

Acute gastrointestinal (GI) haemorrhage is an important cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide and is one of the most common gastrointestinal emergencies. Common causes of acute GI bleeding in Africa are bleeding varices due to portal hypertension and peptic ulcers.^1-3 Schistosomiasis is an important cause of portal hypertension and is responsible for about 130,000 deaths from haematemesis each year.⁴ Chronic Hepatitis B and C are other important causes of variceal bleeding and are endemic in many African countries, including Nigeria.^{5, 6}

About 10% of patients with acute GI bleeding die while in hospital.  Other consequences of severe GI bleeding include need for surgical interventions and blood transfusions which are not always available or safe. A simple cost-effective treatment to reduce blood loss could prevent many thousands of premature deaths and improve outcomes in patients with GI bleeding in Nigeria and worldwide.

For further information, please refer to the HALT-IT Nigeria protocol

Nigeria National Coordinating Group 

(L to R): Bukola Fawole, Jide Okunade, Sade Adetayo, Adefemi Afolabi