80% of patients admitted to UBTH ICU are elderly

The Head of the Geriatric Ward, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Prof. Obehi Akoria, has disclosed that 80 per cent of patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital are elderly persons.

Prof. Obehi disclosed this at the weekend during the presentation of certificates to 69 elder care aides who have completed their training on care for the elderly at the hospital.

“In 2020 ICU admissions in UBTH, 80 per cent were older persons. UBTH provides specialized, interdisciplinary, person-centred care to older persons. However, our wards are just 20 beds and are often oversubscribed.” 

She said 60 years and above experience multiple challenges in access to quality care, adding that the Elder Friendly Hospital Initiatives of UBTH was a deliberate intervention to make hospitals in Nigeria more suited to meet older persons’ needs.

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 She said the first crop of 19 nurses trained in the geriatric ward was carefully and painstakingly selected for the friendly initiative, noting that the UBTH Elder Care Aides is the first of its kind across Africa.

Also speaking, UBTH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Darlington Obaseki, said the hospital’s data showed that the biggest consumers of healthcare are elderly persons.

He said as a result of the development, the hospital has prioritised the care of elders through its Elder Friendly Hospital Initiatives to address the disproportionate access to treatment.

“We have taken so many initiatives in UBTH to prioritise care of older persons. In 2020, we launched a nationwide programme called “Elderly Friendly Hospital Initiative” Hospitals nationwide, the processes are not factored into how to look after or prioritise older persons. That is why we initiated the programme. 

“We established a geriatric department for the care of the elderly and trained Nigerians on how to take care of elders. We intend to make this a full diploma course soon. Our vision in training has always been to make UBTH excel as a continuing learning and training hub in the West Africa sub-region.” 

While congratulating the graduands, Obaseki advised them to work in Nigeria rather than leaving the country for greener pasture overseas.