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Baxter Highlights Work of World Federation of Hemophilia in Addressing Global Disparities in Hemophilia Care
Baxter Highlights Work of World Federation of Hemophilia in Addressing Global Disparities in Hemophilia Care
Published 04-13-06
Submitted by Baxter International Inc.
"We know that people with hemophilia who receive high quality care and have access to the most advanced therapies enjoy significantly longer, more fulfilling lives," said Mark Skinner, president, WFH. "Programs like GAP help us achieve our goal of improving quality of life for the global hemophilia community. Next year we hope to expand our efforts to additional developing countries to help us reach this goal."
The life expectancy of a child born with hemophilia in a developing country is less than 20 years, compared to over 60 years in the developed world. Identification of the condition, access to care and trained healthcare professionals are the key factors that extend life expectancy and enhance quality of life.
"On World Hemophilia Day, we should pause to acknowledge the therapeutic advances and improvements in clinical management practices that have greatly improved hemophilia care," said Joy Amundson, president of Baxter's BioScience business. "What is unique about GAP is its strategic focus for giving that helps assure resources are invested for the most beneficial return. We at Baxter are proud to be a founding sponsor of GAP and are committed to continued support of its work in the future."
GAP's Progress
WFH's ultimate goal with GAP is to increase the diagnosis and improve the treatment of people with hemophilia in up to 30 developing countries. Only four years into the program, participating countries include: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Georgia, Jordan, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia and Thailand. Program focus areas and corresponding milestones include:
Identified more than 5,000 new hemophilia patients
Trained/educated more than 2,000 healthcare professionals, regulators and hemophilia team members
Increased knowledge of hemophilia, a highly underdiagnosed and undertreated condition in developing countries
Assured broader access to a high standard of care through agreements among six countries and WFH
Increased resources by up to 120 percent for hemophilia care and treatment products
Improved laboratory diagnostic standards in 65 centers across the globe
Standardized treatment protocols by publishing Guidelines for the Management of Hemophilia, the first international guidelines for hemophilia care
Motivated hemophilia communities by encouraging countries to form national organizations and recruit newly- or already-diagnosed people with hemophilia
About Hemophilia A
People with hemophilia A do not produce adequate amounts of factor VIII, which is necessary for blood to effectively clot. If untreated, patients with severe hemophilia A have a greatly reduced life expectancy. According to the World Health Organization, more than 400,000 people in the world have hemophilia, corresponding to a prevalence of 15 to 20 in every 100,000 males born worldwide.
About Baxter
Baxter Healthcare Corporation is the principal U.S. operating subsidiary of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX). Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, assists healthcare professionals and their patients with the treatment of complex medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune disorders, kidney disease and trauma. The company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives.
Baxter International Inc.
Baxter International Inc.
At Baxter, sustainability means creating lasting social, environmental and economic value by addressing the needs of the company’s wide-ranging stakeholder base. The company's sustainability efforts support Baxter's mission to apply innovative science in the development of products and therapies that save and sustain patients' lives.
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