Abstract
Haemoglobin disorders are genetic conditions which require complex and multidisciplinary services, challenging healthcare services in many countries. The objective is to provide optimum care to all patients, equally, wherever they may live in the world. The need for specialized centres was recognized early in haemogobinopathy management, as dedicated clinical services can help to reduce morbidity and prolong survival. Reference treatment centres follow guidelines and apply standards with evidence of good outcomes, including measures such as survival, morbidity and quality of life. Recognition is verified by inspection and data collection and is made official by accreditation which is acceptable by the administrative authorities. The Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF), as part of its mission to promote, in as many countries as possible quality care, has initiated a program to recognize collaborating centres and promote specialization, but also support to peripheral centres which may not have the experience or the means to serve patients with the same standards. This report describes principles and means with which these goals are promoted. At the time of writing 9 centres in 4 countries (in South Asia, Middle East and Europe), have volunteered and have been visited by teams of reviewers. Of these 7 have been recognized as TIF collaborating centres. These centres altogether serve 5750 patients with all haemoglobinopathies (65% with thalassaemia and 35% with sickle cell syndromes). Two more centres are currently under review.