World Hemophilia Day 2023

The World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) serves people suffering from Hemophilia all across the world. World Hemophilia Day is observed on 17 April every year. This has brought about significant developments across the globe. Provided the risks of this disease, everyone ought to be aware of it.

Poster for the World Hemophilia Day 2023 as launched by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH)Image Source: WFH website

On 17 April every year, World Hemophilia Day is celebrated all across the globe. Hemophilia is a hereditary disease that renders the affected person vulnerable to immense bleeding even in cases of minor cuts and injuries. This bleeding can be both external and internal. And some severe cases of internal bleeding or haemorrhage can even be fatal at times.

It is estimated that about 400,000 people around the world are Hemophilic and only a meagre percentage of them get treated. This negligence leads to several inefficiencies for the suffering people like not being regular at school or the office. A hemophilic person requires special attention and care. Provided that it is a rare disease, awareness about the same is quite limited. Thus on World Hemophilia Day, organizations like the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) help spread awareness among the mass through their numerous campaigns. It is not only for enlightening people about Hemophilia alone but also to bring under its umbrella other blood-related diseases.

The first case of Hemophilia was recorded in the tenth century when it was called Abulcasis. And it was only in 1803 that Dr. John Conrad Otto conducted extensive research on such patients, whom he referred to as the “bleeders”. He discovered that it was a hereditary disease that made the male child more prone to be affected by a healthy carrier mother. In fact, the British Royal Family is a good example wherein most of the males are Hemophilic. Later in 1937, scientists discovered that there are two types of Hemophilia viz. Hemophilia A and Hemophilia B.

In Hemophilia, the affected person lacks those essential elements in the blood that lead to clotting in case of cuts. Thus any cut can lead to profuse bleeding which becomes unstoppable. The disease is incurable to this date and the only way of controlling it and preventing its harsh consequences is the regular administration of blood clotting factors into the body of the patient. It is a prophylactic treatment for Hemophilia.

The World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) was founded in 1963 for serving the Hemophilic people. It is on the birthday of its founder, Frank Schnabel that we observe World Hemophilia Day every year on 17 April. This practice started from the year 1989. The purpose was to spread awareness regarding the disease and also to campaign for making its treatment accessible to every Hemophilic individual from all strata of society. It also serves as a means to gather donations for the treatment of the ones who cannot afford it for lack of money and resources.

This year the theme of World Hemophilia Day is “Access for All: Prevention of bleeds as the global standard of care”. This year’s campaign focuses on approaching the various government bodies and officials to take active measures to fight this disease. It urges people from every sphere of life to help spread the word on Hemophilia and thus contribute their bit.

Another part of the campaign is the**“Light It Up Red”** campaign. Under this several monuments and landmarks across the world light up their premises in red light to honour the people suffering from Hemophilia. Needless to say this serves as a great way of leaving a mark on one’s conscience. It instills a sense of empathy.

May the celebration of this day bring more awareness to people in general about this disease and help build a society which is safe and well-equipped for each one of us, no matter how different are our differences.

This day is observed with the sole aim of making more and more people aware of the disease and making its treatment accessible for all. The right to treatment is a basic right and everyone deserves it, no matter how different we are.