Public health facilities in Gauteng have joined the rest of the world in observing World Haemophilia Day on April 17.
The Day is commemorated annually to create awareness and educate people about the signs and symptoms as well as available treatment for haemophilia and other bleeding disorder.
Haemophilia is a group of hereditary genetic disorders that impair the body’s ability to control blood clotting or coagulation.
The MEC for Health Hope Papo said that the main signs of the disease include persistent bleeding after circumcision or other surgery or blood tests, unexplainable recurrent bruises and unusual looking lumps.
“We are encouraging parents to look out for this signs and symptoms in young boys and seek medical help if they suspect that their child might have the condition. If properly managed, it can lead to a long and healthy life.
“As a department we are making sure that children education is not being comprised, we have made means to ensure that children of school going age receiving treatment at our facilitated continues with their schooling work in the premises,” he said.
Papo said that this to enable children not to lose out on the education whilst receiving treatment, whenever a child is unable to attend class, lessons are offered at their bedside.
“A number of pupils have written their final examinations on a sick bed under a supervision of a full time teach and succeeded in their examination. It is also inspiring that our health professionals are continuing to conduct training workshops and presenting papers on treatment and management of haematology and oncology,” he said.
