Hemophilia Awareness in the Community
By: Melanie Holt | Photo By: GPC-BDH | Date: April 12, 2019
NATIONAL HEMOPHILIA AWARENESS MONTH. Dr. Sherwin A. Dela Cruz, Internist, presents case studies of hemophilia patients to familiarize the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) during a lecture at the Bacnotan District Hospital (BDH) on April 12, 2019.
To familiarize themselves with Hemophilia, Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) of Bacnotan, La Union, the frontliners in the community, participated in a lecture held by Bacnotan District Hospital (BDH) in observance of the National Hemophilia Awareness Month on April 12, 2019 in Bacnotan, La Union.
Dr. Sherwin A. Dela Cruz, Internist, said that hemophilia is a rare inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly because it lacks sufficient blood-clotting proteins (clotting factors VIII and IX) which can lead to prolonged bleeding following an injury, surgery, or having a tooth extraction. Hemophilia occurs when we have a deficiency in one of these clotting factors, and that small cuts do not usually cause much bleeding but the greater concern is deep bleeding inside the body, especially in the knees, ankles and elbows. This internal bleeding is life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms of spontaneous bleeding include the presence of many large or deep bruises; unusual bleeding after vaccinations; pain, swelling or tightness in joints; blood in urine or stool; nosebleeds without a known cause; and unexplained irritability in infants.
Dr. dela Cruz advised immediate consult should any of the mentioned signs and symptoms be experienced. The treatment includes regular replacement of the specific clotting factor that is lacking or missing which is done by infusing (administering through a vein) commercially prepared factor concentrates so that the blood can clot properly. Through the BHWs acting as information disseminators, individuals in their respective localities will also be familiarized with the disorder.
This monthly continuing education activity for the health workers of BDH as well as the municipalities in the Central Agri-Tourism Circuit is part of the program, projects and activities geared towards the achievement of Gov. Pacoy’s vision for a Healthy La Union, Happy La Union by 2022.
