WHO members adopt global resolution on bleeding disorder care

At the World Health Assembly (WHA), member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) unanimously adopted a resolution on Global Action to Advance Health Equity for People with Hemophilia and Other Bleeding Disorders to support better diagnosis, treatment, and fairer care for people with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders, regardless of where they live.

“By adopting the WHA resolution on Global Action to Advance Health Equity for People with Hemophilia and Other Bleeding Disorders, the WHO and its Member States have elevated bleeding disorders on the global health agenda,” the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) said in a press release. The nonprofit supported the resolution as a non-state actor in official relations with the WHO.

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Armenia put forward the resolution, with co-sponsorship from China, Spain, Egypt, Slovenia, Nepal, Morocco, and several other member states. Under the resolution, WHO is expected to develop recommendations for member states and report on progress every two years. The resolution also calls on WHO and countries to recognize World Hemophilia Day on April 17 and urges countries to strengthen healthcare systems for people with bleeding disorders.

In hemophilia and other bleeding disorders, the blood does not clot properly. As a result, people may bleed for longer than normal and bruise easily, and some may experience spontaneous bleeding into joints, muscles, or other parts of the body. This can cause pain and stiffness and, over time, may lead to serious complications.

In most cases, hemophilia is caused by inherited genetic mutations. By adopting the resolution, WHO member states elevated hemophilia and other bleeding disorders as a global health priority. A WHA resolution is an official policy document that sets global health priorities, guides national health strategies, and requests specific actions from member states and the WHO Secretariat.

The resolution highlights major inequalities faced by people with bleeding disorders. Many people remain undiagnosed, meaning they may never receive a correct diagnosis for their symptoms, or they may be diagnosed late after complications have already developed. Others cannot access treatment because of where they live or because healthcare systems are not prepared to support them.

Countries urged to improve care and data

Countries are urged to include hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders in relevant national health policies and responses. The resolution also encourages governments to improve diagnosis and care by strengthening healthcare professionals’ ability to identify and manage these disorders. Another goal is to expand comprehensive care, meaning people receive support from multiple medical specialists working together.

The resolution also calls for better access to existing and “novel emerging” treatments, including preventive treatments. It also supports home treatment programs, which can allow people to manage some aspects of care at home rather than at a hospital or clinic.

Countries are encouraged to strengthen national data collection systems that track patient numbers, treatment, and health outcomes. Better data can help governments understand how many people are affected, which healthcare services are most needed, and where. The resolution also recognizes the emotional and social challenges faced by people with bleeding disorders and their families and recommends mental health and psychosocial support programs.