Dr. Helen Okoye is a Lecturer and a Consultant Haematologist at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu. She has an M.Sc degree in Human Reproduction and Women’s Health and an MD degree in Pathology. She is a Fellow of both the West African College of Physicians (FWACP LabMed) and the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (FMCPath). Okoye’s areas of research interest include thrombosis, haemostasis and women’s health. She has carried out several researches in haematology and obstetrics medicine and has authored over 60 peer-reviewed academic articles, which have been published in reputable journals. Okoye is currently a member of the World Thrombosis Day Steering Committee and Women’s health scientific sub-committee. She is a past recipient of the Reach-the-World fellowship of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH). In addition to being a member of several international and national professional societies, she has distinguished herself as a member of the Thrombosis and Haemostasis sub-committee of the Nigerian Society for Haematology and Blood Transfusion, which has produced the first national venous thromboembolism guideline. As the world marked the 2023 Thrombosis Day yesterday, she spoke with IJEOMA THOMAS-ODIA about her passion for women’s health and issues around thrombosis in Nigeria and globally.
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How did your growing up influence your passion for women’s health.
Growing up with six sisters greatly influenced my passion for women’s health. I was exposed early enough to various aspects of women’s health, fostering my interest and passion. It helped promote my empathy and understanding towards the unique health experiences, challenges and needs of women. Growing up in an environment where issues of women were openly discussed created a safe place for exploration, learning and fostering my curiosity, leading me to seek knowledge and take on career focus in women’s health.
Take us through your career in thrombosis, haemostasis and women’s health…
My journey in thrombosis, haemostasis and women’s health began in 2009 when I started my residency in haematology. My passion for thrombosis and haemostasis was sparked by exposure to related cases during residency; and galvanised by taking up research in this field. This gave me a deeper understanding of haemostasis and thrombosis.
I started my research in haematology on pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications. I began collaborating with colleagues and researchers in this field. Following my residency in haematology, I continued developing self through constant trainings. I went ahead to take up a fellowship programme in haemostasis, took short courses in my field of research, undertook an M.Sc programme in women’s health and thereafter, an MD in pathology where I focused on haemostasis and thrombosis. In 2014, I began an advocacy role in the field of thrombosis and in 2021, was made a member of the World Thrombosis Day Steering Committee. Since then, I have continued to practice, research and play an advocacy role in the field of haemostasis, thrombosis and women’s health.
What informed your decision to toe this path?
Having grown up amidst six sisters and being exposed to a lot of women, the experience inclined me to women’s health issues. I went ahead to research on the causes and impact of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy with a background of haemostasis and thrombosis. I am generally passionate about medicine and healthcare and I would say this has fueled my interest in advocating for a better quality of life for as many people as possible. If there is a way to ensure that we reduce mortality rate and improve awareness, I’m always first in line.
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You are a strong advocate for thrombosis; what are some of its key characteristics that drive you?
The fact that thrombosis is preventable spurs me to help as many people as possible avert same. Thrombosis, which refers to the formation of blood clots within blood vessels, can lead to serious complications such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, stroke and heart attack. These conditions can be life-threatening and have a profound impact on patients’ lives. Thrombosis is an often ignored but preventable cause of death; it is responsible for one in four deaths globally. As a medical doctor, my commitment is to educate the public about the risks associated with thrombosis, promote prevention strategies and provide appropriate medical care to those affected.
My passion for thrombosis is rooted in the belief that with the right knowledge and medical care, we can minimise the harm caused by this condition and improve the quality of life for our patients. It’s about ensuring that individuals understand the importance of early detection and management, which can ultimately save lives.
With the alarming number of deaths from thrombosis, how much impact has advocacy made?
While we are not where we wish to be yet, there has been commendable progress, especially with respect to prevention and early diagnosis. People are becoming more enlightened. They are becoming more aware of the impact of thrombosis. Healthcare professionals are now identifying more patients with thrombosis; preventive measures are being put in place and they are developing guidelines for the management of thrombosis. Several studies are currently ongoing. However, one way to know the impact of advocacy is by reviewing data before advocacy began and now.
Do you think there are adequate policies to drive this cause?
The effectiveness of policies related to thrombosis awareness, prevention and treatment vary from one region or country to another. In some places, there may be robust policies and guidelines in place to address thrombosis, while in others, more work may be needed. The adequacy of these policies can vary, and there may be room for improvement in some regions, especially in Africa. Advocacy efforts, collaboration between healthcare professionals and policymakers, and ongoing research can all contribute to strengthening policies related to thrombosis. The ultimate goal is to reduce the burden of thrombosis, improve patient outcomes and save lives through well-informed and evidence-based policies and practices. In Nigeria, with emerging pieces of evidence, policies are being put in place. It is a continuous process; we have not gotten there yet.
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You are an academic in the field; what innovation will bring change to this condition?
As a strong advocate for thrombosis, I believe that ongoing research and innovative approaches have the potential to bring significant positive changes to the management of this condition. Patient education and engagement are some key areas of innovation that hold promise for improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of thrombosis. Some of the innovations that are expected to bring about positive change include, optimising the use of objective risk assessment models in our hospitals especially in the developing countries; developing treatment options that can be used to prevent thrombosis in high-risk patients especially those with high bleeding risk; and developing safer and less invasive methods of removing clots without the use of thrombolytics.
What do you consider a major concern or challenge to ending or reducing thrombosis?
One major challenge is the high bleeding risk on patients requiring/receiving long-term antithrombotic. Another challenge is the lack of laboratory methods that may improve safety of antithrombotic therapies. The complexity of understanding the different mechanisms for developing pulmonary embolism is also a challenge. Most importantly, lack of funding in healthcare and research, especially in developing countries is a major drawback.
What key lessons have you learnt in your career journey?
Opportunities and challenges are constantly presented by life; we must learn to handle both and maximise our opportunities.
What advice do you have for young women trying to get their feet and live their dreams, especially family life?
You can succeed in both your family and your career. Bear in mind that it is not easy. One aspect may have to suffer every now and then but make sure it isn’t just one aspect that must give in. As much as is possible, get help with what can be outsourced and invest your limited time in what really counts. Have a clear understanding of what you want in life, be focused and never get tired of investing in yourself. In all these, do not neglect your family.
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