¡Buenos Dias de Argentina!

Yesterday at the World Federation of Hemophilia in Argentina, I attended a session on the future of hemophilia care. Researchers from China to Germany presented many of the advances that have been made in the care of those afflicted with hemophilia well as the challenges that still exist.

It is hard to believe that in the 1960s many hemophiliacs who did not survive beyond age 20, could live a normal life span today. With treatment, complications of chronic joint disease can be avoided. However, there are still challenges in treatment throughout the world. Affordability and access to the products still make it difficult to receive treatment in many countries.

Here in Buenos Aires, one of the most exciting presentations was the introduction of a long acting product which will allow patients to be treated once weekly instead of the often 3 day per week regime. Can you imagine having to perform an intravenous infusion multiple times a week in your child or yourself? While these patients and their families have no choice now, at some point that may be decreased to once a week!

Even more exciting is the elimination of the disorder completely. One day with gene therapy, patients may no longer have to suffer the pain and complications of internal bleeding. There is still much to be done in the world of hemophilia, and I am extremely grateful to have met so many people from around the world with the same goal of improving care and ultimately the lives of those living with this disorder!

¡Hasta Pronto!

The Private Sector Works in Argentina!

I am currently in Buenos Aires, Argentina, attending the World Hemophilia Meeting and experiencing another culture's health care system firsthand through the experiences of my friends here. Attending the meeting is a real eye opener. I realized that I did not know what kind of health system Argentines provided to their citizens, but assumed that there was some kind of socialized program.
While having dinner last night with a friend who lives here I learned that the system has 3 sectors. The public sector which is paid via taxes, the private sector, where Argentines who choose this option pay premiums, and the Social Security sector, which I assume are the retirees.

Sound much like our own system? Public sector for Medicaid, private, and the employed, and Social Security for those over 65. There is one major difference: my friend is in her 40s and relatively healthy, except for the all so common bulging disc in her back. She only pays $45.00 per month for her Private Sector Insurance! A similar premium in the US would be $500 - $1000.00. And when she had surgery to correct the disc in her back, she paid near to nothing for the procedure. What a relief to know that one’s health can be taken care of and not bankrupt the citizen. Instead she was able to heal and get back to work as a productive Argentinean citizen.

We have known for a long time that we are the only country that does not provide affordable care. But as I visit Argentina and see a health care system that works effectively for its citizens, it gives me hope that Health Care Reform worldwide is on the right track!