In the past two decades, cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, heart failure and stroke have been estimated to be on the increase in Nigeria.
In 2016, the world health organization revealed that, non communicable diseases were estimated to account for twenty nine percent of all deaths in the country and out of this number, cardiovascular diseases contributed eleven percent
This and many more pressing issues to reduce the burden of these diseases formed the crux of the fifth annual scientific conference of the association of cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons of Nigeria.
Globally, over the past decade, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of deaths with an accelerated increase in CVD related deaths in Nigeria and other low and middle income countries largely due made worse due to poverty and malnutrition.
The mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases was expected to double between 1990 and 2020 with about eighty two percent of the contributions from developing countries like Nigeria.
Over the past two decades Nigeria has been experiencing an accelerated increase in CVD mainly due to hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, congenital health diseases and among others.
In developed countries, fifty to seventy five percent of deaths from cardiovascular diseases occur out of hospital while in Nigeria where the patronage of orthodox health facilities is low, the impact of cardiovascular related diseases on out of hospital mortality is higher.
This fifth annual scientific conference of the association of cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons of Nigeria is seeking better outcomes for cardiovascular patients
This move is starting with the first lady of Nigeria who is represented here
She seeks more local and international collaborations with organizations to provide trainings and equipment in order to provide world class surgeries for citizens in need who cannot afford the huge cost.
As Nigeria’s health sector continues to suffer the lack of proper funding and support, these cardiothoracic surgeons are urging for more confidence in cardiac surgeries carried out by Nigerian surgeons
They believe this will help to reduce the cost of surgeries and boost the morale of Nigerians who are suffering from this disease
This 5th annual scientific conference of the ACTSON focuses on the burden of cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria with the theme, cardiovascular and thoracic surgical practice in Nigeria, sustaining new frontiers.
