World Haemophilia Day

Prelims (GS I) – Current events of National Importance| General Science

Mains (GS I) – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.

Why in news?

Recently World Haemophilia Day was observed on April 17 by World Federation of Haemophilia (WHF) a Non-Profit organization.

World Haemophilia Day is observed annually as a global healthcare initiative to create awareness on bleeding disorders.
Objectives – To promote better control and prevention of haemophilia, through collaboration with local policymakers.
- To ensure improved treatment and care for those affected.
Theme, 2025 – "Access for All – Women and Girls Bleed Too".
Organizing Body in India – Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

India has the World’s second largest burden of Haemophilia with a case load of 1.36 lakhs.

Haemophilia

Hemophilia

Cause – Haemophilia is caused by a mutation or change, in one of the genes located on the X chromosome, that provides instructions for making the clotting factor proteins needed to form a blood clot.
Males are more commonly affected.
Females can be carriers with 50% chance of transmitting to sons.
Symptoms - Prolonged bleeding after injuries or surgeries, as well as spontaneous bleeding into joints and muscles.
Types – There are two types based on the protein factor deficiency,
- Haemophilia A - Factor VIII (F-8) deficiency (more common)
- Haemophilia B - Factor IX (F-9) deficiency (less common)
Treatment – There is no cure for hemophilia, effective treatments are available to manage the condition and prevent severe bleeding, includes replacement of missing clotting factors using Gene therapy.

Recently Indian scientist has conducted first human clinical trial of Gene therapy for Haemophilia A at Christian medical college, Tamil Nadu.

WHF Humanitarian Aid Program – Launched in 1996 by WHF to provide access to support care and treatment of bleeding disorder globally.

Quick facts

Other Major Bleeding Disorders

Von Willebrand Disease – Deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor (vWF), a protein that helps platelets stick to damaged blood vessels.
Most common inherited bleeding disorder.
Autosomal dominant (affects males and females equally).
Prolonged bleeding from cuts, nosebleeds, heavy menstrual bleeding.
Thrombocytopenia – Caused due to low platelet count (below 150,000 platelets per microliter).
Small red/purple spots and prolonged bleeding.