Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Paediatrics Haematology/Oncology Unit in collaboration with the Friends of Haemophilia Society recently hosted a two-day symposium to raise awareness of haemophilia and educate patients and their families about the condition in recognition of World Haemophilia Day. 
Haemophilia occurs because of defects in the body’s blood vessels or the coagulation mechanism, which is responsible for clotting blood from a liquid into a solid, after surgery or injury. The incidence of haemophilia is quite low although statistics on its incidence vary. 
“When a person without hemophilia bleeds, normal levels of clotting factor, a protein in the blood, causes the blood to clot and stops the bleeding. However, people with hemophilia have lower levels of clotting factor in the blood and bleeding continues for much longer periods,” explained Dr Ahmed Abdulaziz Abdelbari, clinical pharmacist at Hamad General Hospital and one of the chief organisers of the event.
“An affected individual can bleed profusely for a longer time after trauma. These haemorrhages commonly occur in joints, especially knees, ankles and elbows, and into tissues and muscles,” Dr Abdelbari described. 
More than 100 participants attended the symposium, including hematologists, nurses, pharmacists, orthopaedic surgeons and physiotherapists as well as patients, their families and caregivers.
 The symposium featured a number of interesting lectures and specialised workshops for healthcare professionals, along with fun activities for patients and their families.
Dr Abdelbari stated: “We are excited to have successfully organised this important symposium for the seventh time. It was an excellent opportunity for us to raise awareness of haemophilia and advocate for people affected by different kinds of bleeding disorders in Qatar. We encourage individuals across different disciplines to promote discussions and think of ways that will improve the quality of life of those living with this condition.” 
“Presently, over 70 patients with rare bleeding disorders, including children and adults, receive medication (clotting factor) from pharmacies at HGH and the National Centre for Cancer Care and Research,” he added.