Hemophilia Awareness Talk Held on World Hemophilia Day

A panel discussion was held on World Hemophilia Day with the unconditional support of Novo Nordisk Turkey. The discussion, which took place with the participation of Turkey Hemophilia Association President Prof. Dr. Bülent Zülfikar, also included Enes Yılmaztürk, a Turkey Hemophilia Association member and hemophilia patient. The panel was moderated by Pharm. Adile Özdağ. Prof. Bülent Zülfikar, who participated in the discussion, noted that approximately 420,000 people worldwide and roughly 9,000 people in Turkey live with this disease, stating: "Hemophilia is a complex disease that requires experience in treatment. However, with better treatment and prevention of bleeding, it is possible to achieve results that will improve the quality of life of hemophilia patients." Hemophilia is a lifelong genetic chronic bleeding disorder. This disease, also known as the "royal disease" because Queen Victoria of the 19th-century British Empire was also a hemophilia carrier, affects approximately 420,000 people worldwide. In Turkey, this figure is 9,000. However, when considering those carrying genetic damage and other hereditary bleeding disorders, it affects approximately 80,000 people in a not insignificant way. With the unconditional support of Novo Nordisk Turkey, a panel discussion was held at Akmerkez on World Hemophilia Day with the participation of Turkey Hemophilia Association President Prof. Dr. Bülent Zülfikar to draw attention to hemophilia disease. The discussion, attended by Enes Yılmaztürk, a Turkey Hemophilia Association member and hemophilia patient, took place under the moderation of Pharm. Adile Özdağ from Akmerkez Pharmacy. Turkey Hemophilia Association President Prof. Dr. Bülent Zülfikar, who participated in the discussion, stated that hemophilia, von Willebrand disorder, rare factor deficiencies, congenital platelet disorders and certain rheumatological diseases are referred to as hereditary bleeding disorders, and that these affect 80,000 of our citizens in our country. Prof. Dr. Bülent Zülfikar said: "Hemophilia is a coagulation disorder that occurs as a result of the hereditary deficiency, absence, or impaired function of Factor VIII or Factor IX in the blood. Hemophilia is often overlooked and is a complex disease in which fewer health professionals specialize compared to other fields, and its treatment requires experience. With better treatment and management, it is possible to achieve results that will improve the quality of life of hemophilia patients. When prophylactic treatments are provided, there is no need for patients to restrict their lives and social activities. As an association, we want patients to remain engaged in life and we support and participate in many activities from sports to arts. We do not recommend very heavy sports such as boxing, but cycling and swimming are activities that can be done comfortably. Our "Strokes for Hemophilia" project came about in this way. Swimming in particular is at the top of the sports we recommend to our patients because it supports their physical development and increases their endurance, and also has a very low risk of injury."