WFH IEQAS celebrates 20th anniversary
In 2004, the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) International External Quality Assessment Scheme (IEQAS) was launched to promote high standards of laboratory performance in hemophilia treatment centres, and to help improve laboratory diagnosis worldwide. The endeavour serves a critical function, since the WFH estimates that over 70% of expected people living with hemophilia worldwide have not been identified and diagnosed. Identification and diagnosis rates are even lower for women and girls with bleeding disorders (WGBDs) and for people with von Willebrand disease (VWD) and other rare bleeding disorders. Consequently, it’s imperative that laboratories be able to offer accurate diagnoses, otherwise people with bleeding disorders—especially those in lower-income countries where diagnosis rates are especially low—will have no chance of accessing adequate treatment and care.