The Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF)[1] is delighted to announce the organisation of the 16^th International Conference on Thalassaemia[2] & Haemoglobinopathies & 18^th TIF International Conference for Patients and Parents. The Conference is organised by TIF in collaboration with the Federation of Malaysia Thalassaemia Societies and the Malaysia Hematology Society

[1] The Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) is a patient-orientated non-profit, non-governmental umbrella federation, established in 1986 with Headquarters in Nicosia, Cyprus. To-date membership boasts 226 members from 66 countries across the globe. Our mission is to promote access to optimal quality care for all patients with thalassaemia[1] worldwide. TIF works in official relations with the World Health Organisation (WHO) since 1996, enjoys active consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2017, is an official partner of the EU in the field of health since 2018 and is a member of the Conference of International NGO’s of the Council of Europe since 2019. Moreover, TIF has been awarded, in the context of the 68^th World Health Assembly in May 2015, the ‘Dr Lee Jong-wook Memorial Prize’ for the Federation’s outstanding contribution to public health. More information about the Federation is available at www.thalassaemia.org.cy

[2] Thalassaemia and sickle cell disease belong to the family of haemoglobinopathies – a group of hereditary (genetic) blood disorders. Approximately 7% of the global population is a carrier of an abnormal haemoglobin gene, and more than 500,000 children are born each year with these disorders globally, due to the lack of effective programmes for their prevention. The inequalities in access to quality healthcare are truly tremendous and are not, in most cases, justified considering that these disorders today can be effectively prevented and appropriately treated, with the life expectancy of patients significantly increased, and the quality of life dramatically improved.

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE~

The Conference will feature two parallel programmes – a Scientific Programme for Healthcare Professionals and another for Patients/Parents. The Scientific Programme will cover a broad range of topics concerning OPTIMAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY CARE, NEW RESEARCH ADVANCES FOR INNOVATIVE THERAPIES and CURE, and EMERGING CONCERNS for thalassaemia, sickle cell disease, and other rare anaemias, seeking to improve patient health outcomes and quality of life. Furthermore, the Patients Programme will seek to EMPOWER, EDUCATE and INFORM patients and their families, advocates and leaders of national thalassaemia associations from over 60 countries on issues of crucial importance through a capacity building programme that will enable meaningful and productive patient participation and advocacy at all levels of decision-making bodies and processes with competent representation.