If you head for the Dominican Republic, it’s probably because you’re after some rest and relaxation on its tropical beaches, surrounded by the turquoise Caribbean Sea. However, this isn’t what the delegates of CARS (Central American Association of Research and Study) had in mind when they travelled to the country in September. Their intention was to explore and discuss the status, needs and future plans for haemophilia and allied bleeding disorders in this region by having a key community stakeholder from each country presenting the local situation and challenges in their country, as well as sharing better practices in improvement of care.

NNHF was delighted to be offered the opportunity to present to this group of around 50 medical representatives, which included haematologists, orthopaedists, nurses, laboratory scientists and odontologists.  Through our subsequent discussions with delegates regarding the numerous needs in their countries, one common theme for many of the present Central American countries emerged – the need to define the epidemiological picture in each country. Some concrete ideas for development programmes in some of these countries were identified and will be followed up by the NNHF team in the near future.

Identifying local needs in a country is an important element of any NNHF fact-finding visit, meaning that related discussions continued on our visit to hospitals in Santo Domingo and Santiago.

Conversations with several doctors and members of the Patient Association moved onto what could be done to address these needs, and concluded with the suggestion that efforts should focus on improving diagnosis and creating a national registry, and establishing an educational programme for patients and their families in the Dominican Republic. The team is now working hard to bring together these ideas to present to the NNHF Council for decision soon.

The NNHF would like to express its sincerest thanks to Dr Rosa María Nieves Paulino from Dr Robert Reid Cabral paediatric hospital, and Ms Haydeé Benoit de García from the Patient Association for opening their doors to us and providing an insight into the haemophilia situation in the Dominican Republic.