Hemophilia patients are waiting for the adoption of a new edition of the National Treatment Program. The current one ends this year

Hemophilia is a genetic blood disorder classified as a hemorrhagic diathesis. It primarily affects deficiency of either clotting factor VIII (hemophilia A) or IX (hemophilia B). As recalled by Prof. Maria Podolak-Dawidziak of the Department of Hematology, Blood Tumors and Bone Marrow Transplantation at the Wroclaw Medical University, back in 1920 the average life expectancy of a hemophilia patient was 12 years. Now, thanks to significant advances in medicine, it is close to that of the general population.

Continuation of the National Treatment Program is essential

The disease is associated with the risk of hemorrhages in the muscles, joints or intracranially, and thus the risk of death or permanent disability. Treatment of patients with hemophilia involves giving them preparations of the appropriate clotting factor. Thanks to the National Program for the Treatment of Patients with Hemophilia and Related Hemorrhagic Diathesis, the current edition of which will last until the end of the year, patients have access to these preparations at any health care facility, 365 days a year and at any time of the day or night. This makes it possible to treat sudden and spontaneous bleeding with a difficult-to-predict course and means a chance for a normal life, without complications leading to permanent disability. The current program ends this year. The new one, due to take e...