Twinning Programs – The Experiences and Challenges of 3 Physiotherapists

The section of this article on Cambodia is adapted with permission from “Twinning connection”, published in Bloodline, the newsletter of the Haemophilia Foundation of New Zealand (www.hfnz.org.nz), December 2013 and December 2014.

The importance of physiotherapy has been widely established as being integral to the management of haemophilia. This is the case both in haemophilia treatment centres where there is access to adequate factor replacement, and in centres where factor replacement is limited. Physiotherapists who are experienced in delivering physiotherapy for people with haemophilia, and its related musculoskeletal issues, are now being included in the care teams of medical professionals involved in the haemophilia treatment centre twinning teams.

Three haemophilia physiotherapists from Australia and New Zealand who have been involved in haemophilia treatment centre twinning in in Vietnam, the Philippines and Cambodia comment on their experiences and challenges.

The Twinning Program of the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) was established more than 15 years ago. This program aims to improve haemophilia care in emerging countries through a formal, two-way partnership between two haemophilia organisations or treatment centres for a period of four years. Twinned organisations or haemophilia treatment centres work together and share information, resulting in a mutually beneficial partnership. It is a great way to transfer expertise, experience, skills, and resources.

The WFH has two types of Twinning Programs:

  • Haemophilia Treatment Centre Twinning
  • Haemophilia Organization Twinning

Haemophilia Treatment Centre Twinning: The Haemophilia Treatment Centre Twinning (HTC) Program partners emerging HTCs with established ones to help improve diagnosis and medical attention for people with haemophilia.

Source (adapted): www.wfh.org

 

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