This November the World Federation of Hemophilia took the much anticipated step to bring together National Member organizations from the Middle East and North Africa to ponder on an issue that has the potential to change hemophilia care significantly in the region. For the first time government advocacy was put in the center of attention for Nations with great potential, and yet great distance to cover, in hemophilia care. The three day workshop in Dubai was attended from representatives from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Lebanon, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Sudan and Tunisia. Iranian Hemophilia Society attended the meeting with two of its board members Ahmad Ghavidel and Ali Tabatabaey.
The workshop was funded by a generous educational grant from Baxter, a truly admirable gesture. The Dubai Sheraton Creek had been chosen as the venue and WFH staff and facilitators from around the world got the chance to convey their experiences to the participants. The precise programming of the event in most instances, alongside the colorful nature of each session created the chance for an energetic and enthusiastic contribution on the part of the participants. At least for the Iranian team, the workshop was a chance to rethink our advocacy campaigns and strategies within a logical and educated framework.
The sessions covered a range of issues concerned with advocacy. Some of the topics included were:
What is Advocacy?
Threats and Challenges for the bleeding disorders community
National Lobbying campaign tools
Medical-Lay cooperation
Writing a Future Action Plan
Among key speakers and facilitators were some distinguished faces such as Mark Skinner president of the World Federation of Hemophilia, Brian O’Mahony CEO of the Irish Hemophilia Society, Cesar Garrido vice-president NMO for the WFH, Assad Haffar Middle East coordinator for the WFH, Arafat Awajan vice-president of Jordan Hemophilia Association, and Magdy El Ekiaby board member at the Egyptian Society of Hemophilia.
While the nine-step approach to the concept of advocacy presented by Mark Skinner set the outline for and somewhat summarized the workshop; Assad Haffar’s discussion of threats and challenges facing NMOs (based on a previous survey) was a clear reflection of just how similar these obstacles are in this region. But maybe the most practical session of the first day was when Mark Skinner came back to the microphone to discuss preparing for a government meeting. Details of before meeting, during meeting, and after meeting preparations were given and the importance of each highlighted. Later Brian O’Mahony presented an overview of different lobbying tools available and what might be the best way to use them. On the second day Dr. Ekiaby and Dr Awajan presented a detailed lecture on medical-lay cooperation filled with many real life examples of how such collaborations can benefit the hemophilia society. Just before the end of the three-day workshop the WFH President took the chance to offer insight on how the WFH can help NMOs in their advocacy campaigns. Alongside lectures, group evaluation of case-studies, and a role playing session gave the participants a chance to use their newly earned knowledge in practical settings in order to fine-tune their advocacy skills.
On the other hand, a playful icebreaker and well planned evening cultural events set the stage for the formation of a close and friendly relationship among participants, facilitators and staff. From the writers perspective this is the greatest achievement of such gatherings because it will lead to further exchange of experience in the future.
It is proper to once again thank the World Federation of Hemophilia for programming the event and Baxter for making it possible through its support.
