Patient Empowerment in Rare Diseases Slovak Rare Disease Alliance − Contribution to the Creation of the National Plan of Rare Diseases in Slovakia Eurordis – Benefits of Membership / Pacientske organizácie v oblasti zriedkavých chorôb – ich činnosť aj pri príprave národného plánu v SR slovenská aliancia zriedkavých chorôb Eurordis - európska aliancia zriedkavých chorôb – výhody členstva

After the endorsement of the National strategy of rare disease patient health care development for years 2012 - 2013 by the government of the SR on October 24, 2012, it is important for all participants in the process to get involved. (Who are all the participants? - doctors, pharmacists, scientist, national authorities, regulators, health insurance companies, social insurance company, health care and social workers, pharmaceutical industry, but also politicians, patients and patient organizations)

Based on the experience and problems which are being solved by patients, it is necessary for POs to focus on areas important for the creation of NP RD in the SR. These are most of all: complex approach to patients based on a multidisciplinary team, inclusion of patients into decision making - an educated patient is a prerequisite for this; specialized services for RD patients and their families; integration of RD patients into existing health care and social system and help lines.

Slovak Alliance of Rare Diseases (Alliance RD) was founded and registered at the Ministry of Interior of the SR on December 12, 2011. The reason for its foundation was the effort to solve problems in the area of RDs in a complex and systemic way, which is proved by its involvement in the creation of NP RD in the SR. It houses 12 POs working in the field of RD in Slovakia. The objective of the Alliance RD is to keep improving the health and social life conditions of rare disease patients and their families, to improve the quality of rare disease patients’ lives, and to support their social integration. In close cooperation with EURORDIS - Rare Disease Europe − it took part in EUROPLAN II (2012 - 2015), a project organized by the National conference for the support of the creation of National plan of rare disease patient health care development in Slovakia.