'Haemophilia cases rising among females'

ISLAMABAD:

Director of the Hemophilia Treatment Centre (HTC) Rawalpindi, Tahira Zafar, on Friday emphasised the need for greater awareness among healthcare professionals, patients and the public about haemophilia—a rare inherited bleeding disorder—warning that limited awareness leads to delayed diagnosis and avoidable complications.

In an exclusive interview with PTV News, she noted that while awareness of haemophilia in Pakistan has improved, significant gaps persist within both the general public and healthcare institutions.

She added that although traditionally considered a male disorder, haemophilia is increasingly being diagnosed in females, where symptoms often remain concealed and appear later, delaying treatment.

Zafar underscored the importance of early recognition and timely diagnosis, cautioning that missed or late detection can result in serious health complications. She called for enhanced awareness campaigns, improved medical training and broader public education to facilitate early identification and appropriate care.

Responding to a question, she explained that haemophilia is a rare inherited condition in which the blood lacks sufficient clotting factors, impairing normal clot formation. She warned that severe internal bleeding can be life-threatening, but noted that modern treatments, including gene therapy, can significantly reduce or prevent bleeding episodes.