Louisiana Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Hosts Guyana Medical Team Through World Federation of Hemophilia Twinning Program
The Louisiana Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders at Tulane University School of Medicine recently welcomed a delegation of five medical professionals from Georgetown Public Hospital in Guyana, as part of the World Federation of Hemophilia's Twinning Program.
The visiting team from the Guyana Hemophilia Treatment Center included Dr. Kamela Bemaul-Sukhu, consultant hematologist; Dr. Kaaleshwar Ramcharran, consultant orthopedic surgeon; Dr. Jamal Shamsudeen, hematology specialist; Simone Seckle, physiotherapist; and June Willery, nurse. The four-day visit featured comprehensive facility tours, patient care observations, collaborative meetings, and cultural experiences throughout New Orleans.
"We were honored to welcome our colleagues from the Guyana Hemophilia Treatment Center to the Louisiana Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders as part of the World Federation of Hemophilia's Twinning Program," said Dr. Maissaa Janbain, LCBCD director. "This collaborative partnership, which began in 2024, represents our shared commitment to improving treatment and care for people living with inherited bleeding disorders in developing countries."
The WFH Twinning Program has established 275 partnerships across 119 countries over more than 30 years, including 166 hemophilia treatment center partnerships. The program creates direct, sustained collaboration between medical professionals in emerging and established countries, ensuring knowledge transfer is both practical and culturally relevant.
Through the partnership with Guyana's hemophilia treatment center, facilitated by the Guyana Hemophilia Society, the centers are working together to improve diagnosis and treatment capabilities, enrich healthcare provider knowledge, and enhance outreach initiatives to underserved communities.
"Our visit to the Louisiana Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders has been an invaluable experience for the Guyana Hemophilia Treatment Center team," said Bemaul-Sukhu. "Through the World Federation of Hemophilia Twinning Program, this partnership has opened doors to collaborative learning that will directly benefit our patients back home."
Bemaul-Sukhu noted the opportunity to tour LCBCD's comprehensive facilities, observe patient care protocols and engage with the multidisciplinary team provided practical insights the Guyanese team can adapt to their local context.
"This partnership represents more than just knowledge exchange — it's about building sustainable improvements in hemophilia care across borders," Bemaul-Sukhu said. "As we return to Guyana, we carry with us not only enhanced clinical knowledge but also a strengthened commitment to this partnership."
The collaboration allows both centers to share resources effectively while the Guyanese team works to strengthen advocacy initiatives and increase government support for bleeding disorders in their country.
"The WFH Twinning Program has an extraordinary track record of success," Janbain said. "We extend our deepest gratitude to the World Federation of Hemophilia for their generous grant support and for their three decades of dedication to building these vital partnerships. Through the Twinning Program, the WFH continues to ensure that geographic boundaries don't determine the quality of care available to people with bleeding disorders."
About the Louisiana Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders
The Louisiana Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders at Tulane University School of Medicine provides comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and management of inherited and acquired bleeding and clotting disorders. The center serves patients throughout Louisiana and the Gulf South region.
