New Volunteer Program Announced To Improve The Care Of Patients With Blood Disorders In Developing Countries

To improve the quality
of medical care in developing countries, a new partnership between the
American Society of Hematology (ASH) and Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO)
aims to recruit and support physician volunteers to educate and train
health-care providers in those countries on the treatment of patients with
blood disorders.



This unique program will cover the management of a full range of blood
disorders, from the many forms of anemia (including those associated with
malaria, pregnancy, iron deficiency, thalassemia, and sickle cell disease),
to disorders that lead to abnormal bleeding and clotting, to malignant
disorders such as leukemia and lymphoma. Methods designed to enhance the
purity of the blood supply in these counties will also be taught.



"ASH believes that by focusing on these disorders that have a profound
and even deadly effect in the developing countries, the general health in
these countries will be improved as will the overall level of care," said
Stanley L. Schrier, MD, the Chair of ASH's Subcommittee on HVO, which
oversees the program.



Currently, HVO has more than 60 programs in 25 developing nations in
partnership with other medical, dental, and nursing societies. ASH is the
first partner dedicated solely to hematology. This new venture is the
continuation of more than 10 years of work by ASH to advance the care of
patients with blood diseases around the world, including work with the
World Health Organization and the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria to
improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients, primarily children and
pregnant women, with very severe anemia caused by malaria. ASH has also
dedicated its efforts to international outreach through the International
Outreach Initiative, which disseminates educational materials to
hematology-related institutions in developing countries, as well as through
the Visiting Trainee Program, an award program that allows
hematology-related professionals to gain educational and practical
experience on a specific topic for up to 12 weeks at a host institution.



The minimum stay for hematologists who volunteer for the program is two
weeks. HVO training programs focus on local diseases and health conditions,
and the procedures and skills taught are relevant, realistic, and
sustainable, with the goal that the indigenous population will continue to
benefit from the experience long after the volunteer has departed. In
addition to teaching, volunteers may also shape curriculum design,
influence national health policy, and promote realistic health
interventions.



The American Society of Hematology (hematology) is the
world's largest professional society concerned with the causes and
treatment of blood disorders. Its mission is to further the understanding,
diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting blood, bone
marrow, and the immunologic, hemostatic, and vascular systems, by promoting
research, clinical care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology.



A private, nonprofit membership organization, Health Volunteers
Overseas (HVO) was founded in 1986 to improve global health through
education. HVO designs and implements clinical education programs in child
health, primary care, trauma and rehabilitation, essential surgical care,
oral health, infectious disease, nursing education, burn management, and
wound care. In more than 25 resource-poor nations, volunteers train,
mentor, and provide critical professional support to health-care providers
who care for the neediest populations in the most difficult of
circumstances. To learn more about HVO, visit the Web site,
hvousa.


American Society of Hematology

hematology