2019 is a special year for HAM

In 2009, HAM was created by a group of desperate parents and patients who wanted to see a change in the medical care being given to people living with haemophilia in Mauritius. For lack of space and amenities, they met regularly in a small office at the National Blood Bank and had a clear vision: The creation of a haemophilia treatment care center where people with haemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders would receive safe and effective treatment products as well as proper diagnosis, management and care by a multidisciplinary team of trained specialists.

• 10 years ago, clotting factor concentrate (CFC) was not available in Mauritius and patients were being treated inadequately, if at all.
• 10 years ago, very little was known about the treatment and management of Haemophilia in local hospitals, private clinics and generally by the medical staff at large.
• 10 years ago, Haemophilia patients suffered in silence and living a normal life was not even thinkable.

Through a lot of hard work, dedication and consistency, a valuable collaboration with the Ministry of Health, as well as a formidable network of international support, HAM has achieved the unthinkable:

• 10 years later, patients are treated by qualified staff in dedicated treatment wards throughout all Regional Hospitals where Clotting Factor Concentrate is readily available and easily accessible to all.
• 10 years later, the quality of life of all haemophilia patients has greatly improved by reducing long term complications and disabilities.
• 10 years later, all haemophilia children receive preventative treatment and are living next to normal lives. As a result, both government and society benefit from an investment in children’s health when, as adults, they can work, contribute to the community, pay taxes and raise a healthy family.

We can’t believe how far we have come in such a short period of time and we can’t wait to see what the next 10 years will hold!

For its 10th anniversary and in celebration of World Haemophilia Day, HAM was looking at raising funds in a different way. A highly publicized SMS donation campaign was put into place and the public at large was asked to donate via SMS over a period of 4 days. This campaign was highly mediatized on radio, newspapers and social networks and HAM takes the opportunity to thank all those who donated to support this cause!

1,032 SMSs’ were sent but more importantly, a total amount of RS 208,114 was raised in order to help improve the treatment and management of those suffering from haemophilia in Mauritius.