Istanbul, Turkey is hosting the World Federation of Hemophilia’s XXVIII International Congress June 1-5, 2008. The congress, which is held biennially, is the largest international meeting of the worldwide hemophilia community.

A number of pre-congress sessions have been developed for healthcare providers, including nurses, physical therapists and orthopedists. During the four-day conference, attendees can sit in on two plenary sessions each morning. Some of the plenary sessions generating interest this year are “Gene Therapy, and the Progress of Molecular Biology,” “von Willebrand Disease: Issues for Men and Women” and “Genetic Aspects and Research Developments in Haemostasis.” Attendees can choose from six tracks, including dental and medical. New workshops will cover gene therapy and women’s outreach strategies. Other session topics include inhibitors, and screening and genetics of rare bleeding disorders. 

Multidisciplinary sessions include quality of life, aging with hemophilia and a plenary by Pier Mannucci, MD, “Back to the Future: A History of the Treatment in Hemophilia.” Poster abstracts will be on display and there will be “Meet the Experts” sessions.

Congress attendees will be able to visit many spectacular sights in and around Istanbul, including the shops in the Grand Bazaar, the famous Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace, and Hagia Sophia, the ancient basilica built by Constantine the Great.

For more information on WFH’s XXVIII International Congress, go to: www.hemophilia2008.org