The WFH Twinning Program supports short-term collaborative partnerships between medical professionals, patient organizations, and youth leaders from around the world to improve care for people living with bleeding disorders worldwide. The program promotes capacity building and sustainability through knowledge and expertise exchange between partners. Each year, the Twins of the Year award is given to partnerships that have demonstrated a high level of commitment, maintained excellent communications, and worked together as a cohesive team to achieve their set objectives. These partnerships serve as outstanding examples of what can be accomplished through dedication, teamwork, and shared purpose.
In their final year of their participation in the Twinning Program, the Uganda-Montana/Wyoming (U.S.A) HOT Twins of the Year conducted several activities which strengthened the organizational capacity of the Hemophilia Foundation of Uganda (HFU). The development of a five-year strategic plan led to increased lobbying efforts, collaboration with policymakers and decision-makers, financial stability and diversified sources of funding. Patient outreach and educational activities led to an increase in diagnosis, adherence to treatment and patient knowledge and improved patient health-seeking behaviours.
Uganda-Montana/Wyoming (U.S.A) HOT Twins of the Year
An educational and capacity-building visit to Montana/Wyoming by an HFU executive resulted in increased knowledge in strategies for patient care, patient education and advocacy. In addition to the learning and development opportunities it offered, it also solidified and laid the foundations for a long-term relationship between the two partners.
The Kochi (India) – Manchester (U.K) HTC Twins of the Year had a successful second year, during which they identified 89 new people with bleeding disorders (PWBDs) and trained over 100 healthcare professionals (HCP). The twins held two patient outreach camps in Cherthala and Angamaly to provide comprehensive medical care, diagnosis, and counseling for PWBD. Workshops were held to train HCPs on physiotherapy, the musculoskeletal (MSK) management of hemophilia and laboratory diagnosis and management. Virtual educational sessions provided valuable information and expertise to patients, families, medical practitioners, physiotherapists, laboratory technologists, social workers, nursing staff and clinical pharmacists.
Kochi (India) – Manchester (U.K) HTC Twins of the Year
Three Kochi HTC team members underwent a 9-day training program in Manchester, U.K, in advanced coagulation laboratory diagnosis and clinical management of bleeding disorders. The training also improved knowledge of the Kochi HTC team in comprehensive approaches towards women and girls with bleeding disorders care.
On behalf of the WFH, congratulations to the 2024 Twins of the year!
For more information on the WFH Twinning Program, please click here.
The Twinning program is supported by exclusive funding from Pfizer.