The most important event of the last few months was without any doubt our Annual General Meeting. It was held in Brussels on Saturday 29th April. This meeting was organized in collaboration with the Rheumatology Departemt of St. Luc's Hospital, and was particularly important due to the presence of Professor Graham Hughes. More than 200 people attended the lecture which was translated into French and Flemish by two interpreters. Professor Hughes gave a very clear and comprehensive talk, together with slide presentations. The subject was a synthesis of information on Lupus: a narrative introduction, the different aspects of the disease, the medical treatments. He also spoke about the work he is carrying out with his team in St. Thomas' Hospital. As usual, the lecture was followed by questions and answers, and was particularly lively. Our 5th anniversary was considered a big success for the Association.
Due to changes in the government there was a pause in developments,
but fortunately we have kept the same Minister for Social Care,
who agrees with the main points:
a special status together with total reimbursement of healthcare
and medicines (a list of 20 chronic diseases has been elaborated).
The Special Work Commission will restart work on this in September;
details and clauses have still to be arranged with health insurance
companies.
Anne Fayt
"Caring and Sharing"
E. L. E. F.
European Lupus Erythematosus Federation