ISTH and NNHF initiate collaboration to build capacity for bleeding disorders

We are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Novo Nordisk Haemophilia Foundation (NNHF) and the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH). This agreement establishes a framework for collaboration on the ISTH Regional Training Centre (RTC) programme over a period of three years.

The ISTH RTC programme focuses on building knowledge capacity by offering training opportunities in low- and middle-income countries, with centres currently established in Brazil, India, Pakistan, Malaysia and Thailand. This is achieved through the sharing of best practices, knowledge exchanges and participation in joint projects between emerging and mentoring centres. NNHF will strengthen and expand the impact of the ISTH RTC programme by offering support for equipment in qualifying centres.

The ISTH is pleased to partner with NNHF to expand the support for the programme’s emerging Centres. As a newer programme for the Society, we have already seen an impact in the training and education, and we feel this collaboration will only increase the impact to the haemostasis community and ultimately the quality of care for patients.

Through this partnership, the two organisations have agreed to collaborate and provide funding to the RTC programme by expanding the offer to include the availability of NNHF support for laboratory and physiotherapy equipment as part of the general ISTH application process. The NNHF will evaluate approved applications for equipment support and grant funding based on criteria including the advancement of bleeding disorder care and treatment in the country or region. ISTH and NNHF will jointly monitor the project and evaluate outputs.

To date, the programme has benefitted thousands of people with haemostatic and thrombotic disorders. This number will only increase over the next three years thanks to improved diagnosis capacity made possible by funding from the NNHF along with capacity-building efforts by the ISTH, leading to an expanded and strengthened network of centres able to offer improved care of blood disorders.

We are excited to initiate this collaboration with the ISTH. Together, we will leverage the high degree of complementarity between our organisations to reach more people living with bleeding disorders who can benefit from enhanced knowledge and the capacity to expand care and treatment in low- and middle-income countries.

The two organisations share mutual goals on the advancement and care of blood disorders. With an international professional membership of more than 7,700 clinicians, researchers, and educators in 120 countries, the ISTH is the leading worldwide not-for-profit organisation dedicated to advancing the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to thrombosis and haemostasis. The NNHF is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving access to care for people with bleeding disorders in low- and middle-income countries. The NNHF funds projects to build capacity for diagnosis and care, encouraging its partners to join forces for sustainable impact and systemic change.

We invite all interested parties to learn more about opportunities for training and support through the ISTH Regional Training Centre programme: https://www.isth.org/page/RTC