By sharing their time and knowledge, WFH volunteers play an instrumental role in advancing access to care and treatment for people with bleeding disorders worldwide.
WFH International Healthcare Volunteer Award
Established in 2004, this award honours a healthcare professional who has contributed significantly to furthering the mission and goals of the WFH in a volunteer role. Candidates for this award include physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers, dentists, and other health professionals, who provide care and treatment to people with inherited bleeding disorders.
Saliou Diop and Kate Khair were presented with the WFH International Healthcare Volunteer Award during the Inaugural Plenary on April 20.
Saliou Diop is a physician whose leadership has had a lasting impact across Africa. A Professor of Hematology and Blood Transfusion at Dakar University, he currently serves as Director of the National Blood Transfusion Service in Senegal. His involvement with the World Federation of Hemophilia began in 1998, marking the start of a lifelong commitment to improving bleeding disorder care in Africa. Over the years, he has served the WFH in key leadership roles, including as a member of the Board of Directors and as Regional Advisor for Africa, while also contributing his expertise across many key WFH committees and initiatives. Through his dedication, mentorship, and tireless travel across the region, he has helped strengthen diagnosis, treatment, and clinical expertise throughout Africa.
Kate Khair has devoted more than three decades to improving care and advancing the role of nurses in the bleeding disorders community. A nurse, educator, and global advocate, she has been a strong champion of multidisciplinary care and has contributed significantly to advancing clinical practice in bleeding disorders. As Chair of the WFH Nurses Committee, she helped lead key global initiatives, including the development of a standardized training curriculum—an important milestone for education and strengthening expertise in bleeding disorders care. Through her work as a trainer and mentor, and her contributions across key WFH committees, she has helped strengthen care for people with bleeding disorders across many regions of the world.
Kate Khair wasn’t able to accept her award in person, and provided this quote: “I am equally humbled and delighted to receive this recognition and award. It has been my absolute pleasure to work with the hemophilia community for the last thirty years. There is something about this community that is inspiring. I have learnt from every person with a bleeding disorder, their carers and those health care professionals who look after them. They all share this award with me. Once again, a massive thank you.”
WFH President’s Award
Established in 2018, the WFH President’s Award recognizes an individual or organization that has served their local community and made a substantial impact in the bleeding disorders community within their country. The award is given every two years at the WFH World Congress.
The WFH President’s Award was presented to the Hemophilia Foundation- Pakistan; Roshni Kulkarni, MD; and Tahani Al-Ali, MD; during the Inaugural Plenary.
The Hemophilia Foundation- Pakistan is an NMO that has played a foundational role in advancing bleeding disorders care in its country. Founded in 1995, at a time when no government care existed for people living with bleeding disorders, this organization stepped in to fill a critical gap. Through collaboration across its chapters, it helped establish hemophilia treatment centres across the country, while strengthening patient support and education. More recently, through global partnerships with several WFH programs, these efforts have strengthened engagement with government, contributing to early progress in securing procurement support.
Roshni Kulkarni, MD is a physician, researcher, and global advocate whose work has helped transform how we understand bleeding disorders in women and girls. Inspired by her personal experience, she has dedicated her career to advancing recognition, improving diagnosis, and ensuring equitable access to care for this often-overlooked community. She co-founded the Foundation for Women & Girls with Blood Disorders and has been an active contributor to the WFH Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee since its formation. Through her advocacy, she has helped reshape the conversation around bleeding disorders, making it clear that women are not simply carriers, but patients who must be seen, heard, and believed.
Roshni Kulkarni wasn’t able to accept his award in person, and provided this quote: “I am deeply honored to receive the 2026 WFH President’s Award. I accept it on behalf of all the women and girls with bleeding disorders around the world—whose strength, courage, and persistence inspire and continue to inspire everything we do. This award also belongs to the WFH Women and Girls with Bleeding Disorders Committee. This recognition is not just an honor—it is a reminder of our responsibility. Thank you for this profound privilege.”
Tahani Al-Ali, MD has been a driving force for change in her country and beyond. She founded the Syrian Hemophilia Society in 2006, creating a vital support system for people living with bleeding disorders. Through her leadership, she has strengthened access to care, advanced collaboration with health authorities, and contributed to national progress in diagnosis and treatment. More recently, through her work with the WFH PACT Academy, she has helped introduce practical tools that are already improving patient care in hospitals. A strong advocate for women and girls with bleeding disorders, she has pushed for their recognition as a public health priority and inclusion in national policies.
To find out more about the WFH volunteer awards, please click here. To find out more about the WFH 2026 World Congress, click here.
