May 02, 2007
ABOUT a third of all haemophilia sufferers here skip treatment because of the high cost of medication, said Dr Tan Hooi Hwa, chairman of the Haemophilia Society of Singapore (HSS).
He said: 'Others may be afraid to miss work because they are scared that their bosses may not be happy with them.'
There are an estimated 300 haemophilia sufferers here, out of which 50 are 13 years old or below.
Currently, patients pay only 25 per cent of treatment cost.
The HSS subsidises another 25 per cent, while the Ministry of Health pays the rest.
Dr Tan said the cost of treatment varies according to the weight of the patient.
'Medication for a child who weighs 10kg can cost $300 a month, and $600 for a child double that weight.
'So the cost of medication alone for an adult can go as high as $2,000 a month.'
Haemophilia sufferers need to be injected with the missing clotting factors to help stop bleeding.
The high cost of treatment has led some patients here to seek treatment only when they are in severe pain.
When people skip or delay treatment, consequences could be dire.
Currently, the HSS needs about $500,000 every year to operate, and help subsidise treatments for patients.
The society is independent and raises its own funds.
To donate, make your cheques payable to The Haemophilia Society of Singapore, and mail them to Farrer Road Post Office, PO Box 0273, Singapore 912810.