Management of hemophilia with minimal factor replacement in developing countries: role of ancillary therapy

Abstract

Compared with developed countries, the care of hemophiliacs in still relatively poor in developing countries. There are three major factors that influence this problem: inadequate knowledge, lack of laboratories to diagnose the disorder, and inadequate supply of factor concentrates. It is important that healthcare providers and family members of these patients be adequately educated about all of the aspects of hemophilia. Basic laboratories could be established at a reasonable price, technical personnel could be trained, and quality-assurance programs could be initiated. Even in the absence of high-quality factor concentrates, which are expensive, there are affordable means to manage these patients, although certainly not optimally. To overcome these problems, hemophilia care services need to be established and integrated to facilitate the basic needs for these patients.