Honorable Chair, distinguished delegates,

Blood clot prevention is essential to quality care in Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

One in four people worldwide die from conditions caused by thrombosis, including heart attack, stroke, and venous thromboembolism (VTE). VTE is the leading cause of adverse events from hospital admissions globally, with nearly 10 million cases annually.

Prevention is simple, cost-effective, and the medications are on the WHO Essential Medicines List. Prioritizing hospital-associated VTE prevention within UHC frameworks can save lives, reduce healthcare costs, and improve outcomes.

The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH), with over 7,000 medical professionals spanning over 120 countries, stands ready to partner with WHO and Member States to advance VTE prevention as a global standard of care.

Thank you.