Dr. Nguyen Anh Tu, Director of the Central Haematology and Blood Transmission Institute, was elected to chair the association.

Mr Tu said that over 5,000 cases of congenital bleeding have been detected in Vietnam but only around 20 percent of them have sought medical treatment and long-time care.

"Late diagnosis and treatment have caused high rates of disabilities, mostly limb problems, and sometimes increased the threat of death," said the senior haematologist.

He called for society to work together in alleviating the plight of haemophiliacs who need lifetime medical care.