Emphasises the need for prophylaxis and further safeguard haemophilia patients from viral transmissions as well as future pathogens
To mark the occasion of World Hemophilia Day, Hemophilia Society Chapter in Mumbai, organised an awareness camp at KEM Hospital to discuss the issues related to haemophilia including treatment, care, and management followed by a felicitation ceremony for the students suffering from haemophilia. The event witnessed the presence of 300 haemophilia patients and their family members along with the members of the society.
Presently, there are approximately 1200 registered patients suffering from haemophilia in Mumbai and KEM Hospital has been providing comprehensive care for many years to the patients. With the government’s support, the hospital now provides free factor treatment, routine and emergency care and performs complex knee/hip replacements and brain surgeries, enabling patients to lead a normal life.
Elaborating on the current situation of haemophilia in Mumbai, Dr Chandrakala S, Professor, Department of Hematology, KEM Hospital, said, “The government has been supportive over the past few years by making haemophilia treatment available and providing high quality of anti-haemophilia factors available to the patients. This has considerably improved the well-being of haemophiliacs in the region. Still, there is a long way to improve diagnosis and treatment centres across state.”
People with haemophilia are more susceptible to blood transfusion acquired diseases like HIV/HBV/HCV. The risk of infection through blood products can be minimised substantially with the introduction of genetically engineered clotting products like recombinant factor concentrates.
Dr. Chandrakala said, “Prophylaxis is the standard of care in haemophilia as it prevents joint deformity, decreases morbidity and mortality. Thus, there is a need to start prophylaxis in our patients and further upgrade them to home therapy to make patients independent and self-reliant.
She further added that due to lack of treatment centres, patients from other cities have to travel more than 400 km to receive treatment for haemophilia.
The awareness camp helped to spread awareness about the burden of haemeophilia, its management and treatment.