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May 30th, 2003 Octapharma Congratulates Saudi Arabia for making strides in Haemophilia Care with their 1st National Haemophilia Meeting Despite the recent tragic events and escalating terrorist threats, over 150 experts in blood disorders gathered in Riyadh on 21st and 22nd of May to participate in Saudi's first National Haemophilia meeting and workshop.  Organised by Dr. Hazzaa Al-Zahrani on behalf of King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) and in collaboration with the World Federation of Haemophilia, the succinct two-day meeting included an impressive scope of basic and advanced clinical science. Moreover, a practical hands-on workshop in the laboratory aspects of haemophilia was also offered.As an invited speaker, Octapharmas' scientific director, Judi Miller, presented on the topic of Product Safety. She emphasised the need to select products based on virological and immunological safety criteria rather than price alone. The first day of the meeting offered many state-of-the-art lectures in the pathophysiology, molecular genetics, clinical features, treatment and complications of haemophilia. Acknowledging the importance of multidisciplinary care in the comprehensive management of haemophilia, speakers included virologists, dentists, physiotherapists, nurses, and orthopaedic surgeons as well as haematologists and haemophilia specialists. The first day closed with an articulate and thought-provoking insight into the problems and challenges of living with haemophilia in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), by Mr. Al Assaf, a haemophiliac who has been under the care of KFSHRC for the past 21 years.  Although the introduction and increased availability of concentrates have changed his life and enabled him to pursue a successful professional career and family life, he made an impassioned plea to the group to work with the media to promote a better understanding of haemophilia amongst the general population, and to expand the option of home therapy.As someone who has to attend the hospital for his concentrate injections following every bleed, he is familiar with the anxieties and discomfort of long waits. When asked if he would like to have access to treatment at home, Mr. Al Assaf replied 'You bet!'  The second day included a practical workshop for laboratory medicine technologists related to screening and laboratory diagnosis of haemophilia as well as inhibitor detection. A simultaneous session for clinicians discussed the planning for and establishment of a standardised national programme for comprehensive care in haemophilia.The urgent need for a national programme was highlighted by the fact that with its population of 22 million, Saudi Arabia would expect, based on genetic distribution, to have around 990 persons with haemophilia. However, only 250 have been diagnosed to date. Despite having achieved associate membership of the World Federation of Haemophilia in 2002, much still needs to be done in setting up the organisation of the Saudi Haemophilia Association. Recommendations arising from the discussion included:
© Octapharma AG, 2003 |
