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TIF reaches out to thalassaemia patients in China
On 17–23 June 2009, the Federation joined an official Cyprus Government delegation on a visit to the People’s Republic of China at the invitation of the Minister of Health, Dr Christos Patsalides.
The President of TIF, Mr Panos Englezos, and other TIF representatives were invited to participate in an official delegation visit to the People’s Republic of China organised by the Ministry of Health of Cyprus and headed by the Minister of Health. The aim of the visit was to conduct a series of discussions with the Chinese Ministry of Health and other high-level officials on health issues. We are pleased to say that thalassaemia, its prevention and control constituted one of the priority items on the agenda.
The delegation visit included visits to various blood establishments and hospitals treating thalassaemia in Beijing & Shanghai, and ended in Guangzhou (Guangdong Province), where meetings took place between TIF, the Cyprus Ministry delegation and local health authorities. Based on the outcomes of this visit, a joint three-year plan of action has been developed to guide efforts to improve patient care and establish an effective programme of prevention in this highly affected region of China.
Workshop in Guangz
hou educates doctors and patients
A workshop on haemoglobinopathies for health professionals, patients and parents took place in Guangzhou on 22 June. The event attracted nearly 100 medical specialists and an equal number of patients and parents from across the region.
Mr Englezos, in his welcome speech to the participants, said: “The education of doctors, patients/parents and the public is a crucial part of TIF’s mission, which is the promotion of equal access to quality treatment for all patients with thalassaemia. We are particularly proud that TIF’s educational publications are now being translated into Chinese, and we are committed to continuing our work in China together with the national health authorities, WHO and the Cyprus Government.”
