Health dept creates awareness of Haemophilia
"Campaigns such as these are very important because we need to understand what exactly we are up against."
Dignitaries from the provincial health department visited Bophelong Clinic in Atteridgeville recently with other stakeholders to commemorate World Haemophilia Day on April 17.
Haemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder and is caused by the lack of clotting factors or insufficient clotting.
The department believes that if more people were aware of what it is, it would lead to fewer negative effects.
Anna Motswagae, of Tshwane district health services, spoke to attendees about the importance of understanding the disease fully.
“Awareness campaigns such as these are very important because we need to understand what exactly we are up against.
“It doesn’t help to spread awareness about something and not fully understand what it is.
“If we truly understand it, we can help and support those suffering from this condition,” Motswagae said.
“We hope that the information you learned today will be shared among your families and communities as here at the department we believe that prevention is the best cure.”
The day was inspired by the health department’s theme “Access for All” as they believe everyone should have access to healthcare, regardless of the ailment one faces.
Haemophilia is passed down genetically through the X-chromosome.
Mothers with Haemophilia have a 50% chance of passing the gene down to their son or daughter, while father carriers can pass on the gene to their daughter as females are born with two X chromosomes (one from each parent).
Daughters of male carriers are obligatory carriers as sons only receive the Y chromosome from their fathers.
70% of people living with the disorder have a history of the condition running in their family.
The campaign was hosted in partnership with the SA Haemophilia Foundation.
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