In News: World Haemophilia Day is celebrated on April 17,2021.
About World Haemophilia Day
- World Haemophilia Day is celebrated on April 17 every year since 1989.
- This year is the 30th edition of World Haemophilia Day.
- To honour Frank Schnabel, his birthday April 17 has been chosen as World Haemophilia Day .
- This year’s theme ‘Adapting to change; sustaining care in a new world’.
- Day observed for bridging together the communities suffering with global bleeding disorder.
- Day creating international awareness of haemophilia and inherited bleeding disorders.
- This day also helps in raising funds for the patients who cannot afford to have the treatment of haemophilia.
Haemophilia
- Haemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder.
- In this rare blood disease blood clotting proteins that are clotting factors are lacking or insufficient in blood.
- When one is injured, blood clots normally, but in case of haemophilia a person may bleed for a longer time.
- Internal bleeding is life-threatening as it may damage organs and tissues also.
There are three types of haemophilia:
- Haemophilia A- Lack of blood clotting factor VIII is more common and this happens in 80 per cent of the cases.
- Haemophilia B- Lack of factor IX
- Haemophilia C- Lack of clotting factor XI
Causes of haemophilia
- Caused by genetic mutation which involves genes that code for blood clotting proteins.
- 13 different proteins termed; Factor I through Factor XIII are the clotting factors.
The World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH)
- Is an international non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with hemophilia and other genetic bleeding disorders.
- It educates hemophiliacs and lobbies for improved medical treatment.
- 75% of people in the world with bleeding disorders do not know it and do not receive care.
- The WFH was established by Frank Schnabel in 1963 and has its headquarters in Montreal, Canada.
- It has member organizations in 113 countries and official recognition from the World Health Organization.
Source: The Hindu
