WFH World Congress in Malaysia cancelled

Written by Jessica Bomford, March 25, 2020

The World Federation of Hemophilia has called off its World Congress in Malaysia as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

It has also been announced that the European Haemophilia Consortium has cancelled all of its events until the end of June.

The WFH World Congress had been due to take place from June 14-17 in Kuala Lumpur.

In a statement the WFH said the decision had been taken with “great sadness and heavy hearts”, following an order from the Malaysian government to postpone all conferences until the end of June 2020.

The WFH World Congress is held every two years and is a unique opportunity to meet and exchange knowledge with people with bleeding disorders and clinicians from around the globe. The last World Congress was held in Glasgow, hosted by The Haemophilia Society UK.

Liz Carroll, The Haemophilia Society’s chief executive, said: “We are so disappointed not to be able to meet our friends and colleagues from the around the world to exchange ideas and best practice on how to improve life for people with bleeding disorders. As the previous host nation, we understand the huge importance of World Congress on the ability to deliver the WFH’s humanitarian mission of improving care for all people with inherited bleeding disorders worldwide.

“However, the priority must be the wellbeing of members and the safety of the general population, so we support this decision and that of the EHC to cancel its events. I know the global bleeding disorder community will continue to look after each other in whatever way is possible throughout this difficult time.”

The Haemophilia Society had planned to send a delegation of representatives including members, staff, trustees, youth ambassadors and ambassadors for specific issues – such as women’s bleeding disorders. Many clinicians and bleeding disorder specialists from across the UK were also hoping to attend.

The WFH has said it will be in touch with people directly about issues such as registration fees and hotel bookings. Anyone with an urgent question should contact them at [email protected].

Read the WFH’s statement here.