Equal access to quality healthcare for every patient with thalassaemia across the world.
Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) is a non-profit, non-governmental patient-driven organisation founded in 1986 and working in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1996. TIF is an umbrella organisation involving 98 national thalassaemia associations and other members from over 60 countries across the world.
TIF has been in official relations with the Non-Communicable Diseases/Human Genetics Department of the WHO since 1996. In addition we collaborate with other relevant departments of the WHO, the European Commission, national, European and international patients’ organisations, pharmaceutical industries and agencies, as well as other health-related bodies with an interest in haemoglobinopathies, blood safety and public health in general.
To date, TIF has organised 65 delegation visits in 60 countries worldwide and 44 local, national, regional and international educational events (conferences, workshops and seminars). Some 18,000 health professionals, patients and parents from over 60 countries have participated in these events.
Organisational structure
Thalassaemia International Federation is registered as a non-profit organisation under Cyprus Company Law. The Federation is governed by an 18-member Board of Directors (maximum two per country) elected for a term of 4 years. Under the terms of TIF’s Constitution, 50% of its Board Directors must be patients with thalassaemia.
The educational work of TIF is supported by an Advisory Panel and a network of medical and scientific collaborators from 60 countries worldwide.
TIF has its headquarters in Nicosia, Cyprus, consisting of offices which serve as the informational centre and administrative base of the Federation, and a conference centre which hosts its educational events and board meetings.
Membership
TIF's membership comprises national thalassaemia and other disease-specific patients’ associations, health-related organisations and institutions, pharmaceutical companies, health professionals and interested individuals from around the world. Membership is divided into three categories: general members include only patients’ associations with an interest in thalassaemia. After completion of one year of membership general members can become voting members. Associate members are individuals, commercial or professional groups and disease-oriented patients’ associations (other than thalassaemia).
Application forms and detailed information on membership eligibility as well as benefits can be downloaded here.