World Hemophilia Day: Qutub illuminated in red to raise awareness

Qutub Minar, Delhi's iconic minaret, was today lit up in red to mark World Haemophilia Day.

Haemophilia is a disorder in which a person's blood does not clot normally because it lacks sufficient blood-clotting proteins (clotting factors).

"We held a programme today at the India Habitat Centre on raising awareness about the disease. A panel discussion was held yesterday too," said an official of the Haemophilia Federation (India), a non-profit self-help organisation.

The federation, which is working for people with hemophilia held the event in partnership with a leading global biotechnology company.

"The iconic monument was illuminated in red yesterday on the eve of World Haemophilia Day too," he said.

Haemophilia afflicts 1 in 10,000 people and with the right treatment and holistic care, these patients can potentially lead a near-normal life.

Dr Tulika Seth, Professor Hematology at the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), said, "With access to adequate factor replacement, appropriate monitoring and good physiotherapy, all children with hemophilia can lead productive and pain-free lives."