most urgent needs for Antonio

Dr Claudia Khayat, hematologist at the Hotel Dieu in Beirut, is following the three boys' disease. Thanks to her contacts, she obtained from the Levant Hospital (al-Mashreq) to operate the young man within the next two weeks. The Factor VIII will be provided free of charge by the Association Libanaise des Hémophiles. Still remains a special radioactive product to be imported from Switzerland, costing 500 US $. Any help would be welcome.
Contact: Ms Solange Sakr
Association Libanaise des Hémophiles, Jal el Dib, tel. 961.4.713055,
e-mail aslbhemo@inco.com.lb

Antonio's case needs urgent operation

Antonio is second of the family, born in 1991. He is followed for severe haemophilia A by Dr Claudia Khayat. He suffers from joint problems with his knee as a target joint. He must urgently benefit from a synoviorthesis of the knee. It could be done easily if Factor VIII concentrate are available. Otherwise, he will have a joint destruction, loss of mobility, lot of pain and more hemarthrosis in the other joint. For the synoviorthesis and musculosquelettal rehabilitation, he needs around 50000 UI of Factor VII concentrate. It could be regrettable not to do it. The availability of factor concentrate would certainly transform his life. He could be happy and productive in the society.
Haemophilia A is a congenital bleeding disorder. Because of deficiency in coagulation Factor VIII the patient has a delay or is unable to clot after an injury. Thus if untreated the patient complains of pain, hemarthrosis, muscular haematoma and life threatening bleeding. Appropriate treatment based on infusion of Factor VIII concentrate, prevention and psychosocial support allow the patient to have a normal and productive adult life.
Unfortunately, haemophilia is an under recognised disease in Lebanon, and there is no national policy . Since 1996 the Ministry of Health contributes to the treatment of patients in delivering small quantities of Factor concentrate free of charge every month to each patient. But since 2005 the Ministry stopped contributions and no more treatment is available.

Any help concerning the young Antonio is welcome.
Based on the report by Dr Claudia Khayat
Beirut, July 27, 2007

First meeting with the Achkar family

We met the three boys in Deir el Qamar with their mother Chafica. She is a cleaning lady at the secondary school in Feytroun, in the region of Kesrouan. Her husband died a few years ago, leaving her alone with Habib 23, Antonio 16 and Nassib 14.
They all suffer of a genetic disease, hemophilia. Any wound, or even internal bleeding cannot stop easily. They need regular injections of Factor 8. Each injection costs 1000 US dollars!
The Ministry of Health usually helps in the payment of medication and treatment for people in need but due to the present crisis, payments have become irregular. Chafica is always asking the pharmaceutical companies to accept delayed payments.
The boys are good looking, gifted and serious students:
Habib is a qualified chef pastry cook. He helps his mother preparing cakes they sell for Christmas, Easter and other occasions. He also works at a pharmaceutical company.
Antonio is a good student, he likes graphic design and lately joined the village choir.
Nassib works very hard at school, as he is preparing his Brevet exam next june.