#7 DR. ATANAS BANCHEV: “ THE FUTURE FOR PATIENTS WITH HAEMOPHILIA IS BRIGHT”

This time, I had a privilege to have a conversation with a caregiver and not a patient. My guest Dr Atanas Banchev is a medical doctor specialized in pediatric haematology that is really passionate about bleeding disorders. He did his PhD thesis in the largest haemophilia centre in Europe in Bonn, Germany and now works in the largest haemophilia centre in Bulgaria.

In the episode, Dr Banchev shared his motivation behind becoming a haematologist and how he ended up in Boon. We discussed the research he has done for his PhD and talked about why he refused the invitation to continue his career in Germany. He also shared the challenges he faces treating patients back home in Bulgaria and how he collaborates with his colleagues to achieve a batter standard of haemophilia care. The conversation also touched inhibitors. He beautifully described what inhibitors are, how we treat patients with them and how does ITI therapy (Immuno tolerance induction therapy) works. We briefly spoke also about gene mutations and how are genes causing haemophilia. Dr Banchev also told me about an article that he wrote for the Liberate life project in which he amongst other things explains the current treatments and what is the future of treating the haemophilia A. He also mentioned new technologies that he is passionate about and that will revolutionize haemophilia care. One of them is a handheld ultrasound device. To conclude this interesting interview he shared with me how he sees the evolution of haemophilia care in the next five years and his conviction that the best in haemophilia care is yet to be seen.