Local capacity to treat haemophilia exists but more awareness needed

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the country’s main referral hospital, has performed several surgical procedures on persons who have bleeding disorders but public awareness to avoid complications remains an issue.

April 17 is World Haemophilia day and the observance provides stronger support for raising awareness about the bleeding disorder that is inherited and can affect persons of either genders.

This year’s theme is “Access for all: women and girls bleed too.” The Guyana Haemophilia Society on Sunday last held an awareness walk in efforts to focus on the highly underdiagnosed genetic disorder. Haemophilia affects approximately one in very 5,000 to 10,000 males. Knowledge of the disorder is crucial because timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment can significantly improve the quality of life for those affected.

There are currently 30 patients receiving treatment for the condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). However, the condition is highly underdiagnosed and this can potentially cause persons who are undergoing surgical procedures to be at risk of severe bleeding.

Dr. Kamela Bemaul-Sukhu, a local hematologist, related that little awareness of the disease in Guyana is due to the lack of knowledge of its existence. During an interview with the News Room on Wednesday, Dr. Bemaul-Sukhu said doctors at the hospital cooperate to ensure that patients with the bleeding disorders can receive the best outcomes when undergoing surgeries.

“If you’re going to go to the dentist, to have surgery, to get a baby, things like that you’ll let us know and we will then plan with the doctors around that time so we can give you the medications at that time to reduce bleeding,” Dr. Bemaul-Sukhu said.

The World Haemophilia Organization donates the costly treatment medication for persons to be able to undergo safe procedures.

But there are instances where a person is not aware that they have the bleeding condition.

“We’ve had maybe two or three patients who had surgeries and then they were diagnosed with haemophilia after it got complicated.

“A couple years ago, we did start doing surgeries for haemophilia patients prior to this we wouldn’t have done surgeries for patients once you have a bleeding disorder because of course it’s a big risk,” the hematologist said.

Symptoms of haemophilia includes bleeding for long periods of time and unusual bruises which can later develop into joint disorders. Dr. Bemaul-Sukhu said too often people ignore abnormal bleeding and do not seek medical attention for it.

“It’s so much underdiagnosed, like really underdiagnosed, especially persons in the interior and things like that. Persons tend to think the bleeding is normal and just don’t seek medical attention so it’s underdiagnosed,” the doctor said.