The medical fraternity in Karnataka is keen on comprehensive haemophilia care centres to reduce morbidity. Currently state government is making efforts to ensure drugs to treat the haemophilia are available at all government hospitals.
Haemophilia is a genetic bleeding disorder that causes exaggerated bleeding. Usually males are affected (very rarely females) as the condition occur due to mutation of gene on X chromosome, coding for either the coagulation factor VIII (haemophilia A) or IX (haemophilia B). According to a report by World Federation of Haemophilia report, India alone reported 18,353 patients of haemophilia in 2016 and it is believed majority go unreported. Bleeding in joints and muscles are common symptoms.
Dr Sunil Bhat, senior consultant and head, paediatric haematology, oncology and bone marrow transplant, Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Centre, Narayana Health City, Bengaluru, stated that over the years, awareness about the disease, quality and reach of the treatment has advanced, however, India is still far behind. Reducing the morbidity due to haemophilia will call for creating comprehensive haemophilia care centres that offers holistic treatment.
Bleeding in brain is another complex consequence of Haemophilia which can be life threatening as well. Though age agnostic, the worst affected are children and infants. Infants show signs like bruises and haematomas as they learn to walk. In fact, in children it leads to conditions like target Joints wherein recurrent bleeding tend to happen in the joints as they grow and gain weight, he added.
Further, a shift in the treatment methodology where rather than offering medical aid once the bleed occurs, the treatment should be a continuous one that focuses on prevention. Patients with severe haemophilia should be put on a routine treatment regimen called prophylaxis a treatment given to control the occurrence of bleeding. In case of medical emergency immediate treatment is advisable, stated Dr Bhat.