EXPERT ADVOCATES INCLUSION OF HAEMOPHILIAC TEST DURING ANTE-NATAL
The I
nternational Community today, April17, 2018, marks World Haemophilia Day.
Haemophilia is a genetic blood disorder characterized by prolonged bleeding due to absence of clotting factors in the blood.
The Day which is also referred to as Haemophilia Awareness Day was initiated in 1989 by the World Federation of Haemophilia and is marked annually on the 17 of April to honour the founder of the World Federation of Haemophilia, Frank Schnabel whose birthday was on the same date.
The aim is to create awareness about blood disorder and increase accessibility to care and treatment considering that about 75% of people with the condition are unaware and therefore, do not receive necessary care.
Speaking with Radio Nigeria on the condition, a Haematologist with the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, Comrade James Aneke, advised that haemophiliac test be conducted whenever frequent and prolonged bleeding was detected.
Comrade Aneke explained that management of a haemophiliac patient depended on the result of the blood test conducted on such persons.
Comrade Aneke, who is also the Deputy Director Medical Laboratory Services in the Hospital, advocated the inclusion of haemophilic test in ante-natal blood screening to forestall bleeding related emergencies during pregnancy.
The theme of this year’s event is “Sharing Knowledge Makes Us Stronger.”
IFESINACHI UGWUEZE