aatm e-newsletter

AATM Secretariat: Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Sector 44, Gurgaon-122002, Haryana, India Email: [email protected] Website: www.aatmweb.org

AATM E-Newsletter Asian Association of Transfusion Medicine

Successful Organization of XIth

Annual AATM Conference in Islamabad, Pakistan

The XIth

Annual Conference of the Asian Association of

Transfusion Medicine hosted by Pakistan raised transfusion

medicine to new heights at the national and regional level. It

attracted 757 participants including 60 international

delegates from 15 countries. The papers presented were of

high calibre, displayed a thorough insight into current work of

the transfusion sector and provided an excellent forum for

exchange among practitioners and researchers. The

presentations were full of thought and insight, smooth and

easily digested. The overall academic environment and

ambience was robust and stimulating. The presence of a

large number of young participants and seasoned specialists

under one roof afforded many opportunities for direct

interchange.

Participating delegates unanimously described the event as a „true success‟ which, under a broader perspective, served to

project the image and importance of blood transfusion in Pakistan on a national, regional, and international scale. The

inauguration of the conference by the President of Pakistan elevated Blood Safety and Blood Transfusion to a high pedestal on

the national health agenda. The conference was a breakthrough event for Blood Transfusion issues in Pakistan and beyond,

including the member states and added new dimensions to this specialty. The conference has brought about a paradigm

change and put new emphasis on the reform agenda. Indeed the world of blood banking is not the same any more in Pakistan,

and as regards the Association, Pakistan may have improved its status from that of a member to that of a regional leader.

All comments received were positive, and the delegates classified it as an „outstanding event‟ and heads and shoulders above

the conventional medical health conferences. The unanimous feedback was that the event was superbly organized, well

conducted and orchestrated and professionally managed. The leadership policy of delegation to the young motivated and

spirited core team and minimum interference in micro-management was well appreciated. According to one international expert,

„it was easy going and pleasant to eyes and ears‟. The sessions started and finished on time, the facilities for the speakers were

superb, the audio-visual system and recordings functioned seamlessly and food and transport arrangements were of high

standards. The conference venue, which accommodated most guests, was also deemed a most suitable choice.

The industry participation was most impressive and unheard of for a transfusion conference in Pakistan. 25 global industry

brands of the sector participated in the event, many with experts from the regional office or the headquarters. The industry

expressed a keen interest to learn about the system and availed the opportunity to directly interact with public and private sector

decision makers. They considered the time invested in the conference very worthwhile for planning greater participation in the

country where the cycle of the system is still evolving.

In the complementary cultural frame programme, Pakistan was able to project itself in a complex, multifaceted and attractive

manner. The music, song and dance items by talented artists were highly appreciated particularly by the foreign delegates who

were amazed at the diversity and richness of the cultural heritage of the nation.

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Editor-in-Chief: Prof. Hasan Abbas Zaheer Associate Editor: Usman Waheed

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In many ways, the conference achieved a „quantum leap‟ in local knowledge created and shared. It conveyed a strong message

of enthusiasm and encouragement to the entire community of technologists, pathologists and haematologists and especially to

the younger generation that this field of medicine deserves to be embraced wholeheartedly and will provide life time careers.

The conference, in this sense, has been „mind setting‟, if not trend setting, and reflects the quiet revolution of progress which

has taken place in Pakistan over the last years.

Complete conference report is available at: http://sbtp.gov.pk/Docs/AATM%20Report%20(Executive%20Summary).pdf

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3rd

International Congress of Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran

The 3rd

International Congress of Transfusion Medicine held

in Tehran from December 15-17, 2015, focused on the

theme of evidence-based use of blood and blood

components. More than 600 participants from 16 different

countries attended the event. The Congress was jointly

organized by High Institute for Research and Education in

Transfusion Medicine, Iranian Blood Transfusion

Organization, International Society of Blood Transfusion

(ISBT), Asian Association of Transfusion Medicine (AATM),

French Blood Service (EFS), European School of

Transfusion Medicine (ESTM) and WHO Collaborating

Centre for Research and Training on Blood Safety.

The Congress was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Ali Akbar

Pourfathollah, Managing Director of Iranian Blood

Transfusion Organization (IBTO) and the President of

Congress. Since its establishment forty years, IBTO has

achieved remarkable

improvements in different fields

such as reaching the rate of 27

blood donation in 1,000

population, 100% VNRBD and

52% regular blood donation. Dr.

Zalli, President of Iranian Medical

Council also spoke in the

Inaugural session and

emphasized role of rational blood

use to increase the efficiency of

blood services. "To optimize

blood use, a multidisciplinary

approach is needed involving all

stakeholders. Dr. Fereydoon Ala,

founder of IBTO was honored for

lifetime achievements.

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The congress covered a wide range of topics including recruitment of voluntary blood donors, blood safety and quality control,

thrombosis & homeostasis, blood transfusion in paediatric and obstetrics, blood transfusion in disasters, cell therapy, plasma-

derived medicines, haemovigilance to patient blood management. Internationally-recognized speakers from ISBT, AATM, EFS,

Lithuanian Blood Service, Sanquin Blood Service and other international institutions contributed to the event and presented the

latest evidence-based practices and researches. The National Directors of Blood Transfusion Services in Lithuania, Pakistan

and Bhutan briefed participants on the current status of blood transfusion in their respective countries.

The congress was formulated in panel discussions which resulted in 80 presentations. In the closing ceremony which coincided

with "Investigator Day", all top researchers of IBTO in 2015 were appreciated and the memorial plaque of the 3rd Congress of

Transfusion Medicine were presented to all international speakers and participants. The closing ceremony was chaired by the

Deputy Minister of Health, Iran.

40th

Annual Conference of Indian Society of Blood Transfusion & Immunohaematology, Delhi, India

The 40th

Annual National Conference of Indian Society of Blood Transfusion & Immunohaematology (ISBTI) was organized by

Delhi State Chapter from September 25-27, 2015, in New Delhi. Five pre-conference workshops were organized on September

24, 2015 on immunohaematology, NAT, Therapeutic Aphaeresis, Haemopoeitic Stem Cell Transplant and Haemovigilance.

TRANSCON 2015 – an annual event of ISBTI aimed at enhancing the Safe Blood Transfusion Services and Voluntary Blood

Donation Awareness Programmes in the country. It is an important platform for sharing of scientific and clinical expertise

amongst transfusion medicine specialists and is an important event for the blood transfusion services in India. The theme for

this year‟s conference was “Red Cells to Stem Cells-the New Horizon” and offered an opportunity to Transfusion Medicine

professionals, clinicians, blood bank technologists and donor motivators to discuss and expand their knowledge in the field of

blood transfusion services and voluntary blood donation.

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WHO Collaborating Centre’s Training Workshop on Recruitment of Voluntary Blood Donors in Tehran, Iran

The Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) organized a workshop on "Recruitment of Voluntary Blood Donors" at the

IBTO headquarters from December 18-19, 2015. The 2-day workshop was a part of WHO Collaborating Centre's activities and

had participation from Sudan (Mr. Nizar Mohamed Elhassan Babiker and Ms. Maha Adam Mohamed Hamid), Pakistan (Prof.

Hasan Abbas Zaheer, and Mr. Usman Waheed), Tajikistan (Dr. Aziz Odinaev) and Afghanistan (Dr. Aman Ullah). The workshop

was facilitated by Dr. Mahtab Magsodlu, Dr. Z. Massaeli, Dr. Mehrab Nejad, Mr. Hamoon and Dr. B. Daneshfar. Different topics

including Fostering the Culture of Voluntary Blood Donation, Importance of Regular Blood Donation, Donor Retention

Strategies, Pre-donation Counseling, Blood Donor Registration & Donor Consent, Blood Collection, Prevention & Management

of Adverse Donor Reactions and Mobile Sessions of Blood Collection were discussed during the workshop.

Iran is the first country in the region that has achieved 100% voluntary

blood donation since 2007 and after reaching the goal, many countries of

the region asked IBTO to provide them with training in the field of

recruitment of voluntary donors. Since 2008, IBTO has conducted similar

workshops for experts of different countries including Iraq, Economic

Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states, Afghanistan and

Lithuania. After the workshop, the Manageing Director of IBTO, Prof.

Pourfatollah also held meetings with the Directors of Blood Transfusion

Services in Tajikistan (Dr. Aziz Odinaev) and Pakistan (Prof. Hasan A.

Zaheer).

IVth

Anatolian Blood Days Workshop, Antalya, Turkey

Turkish Blood Foundation was established at 23th

July 2004 by the 17 members of the Blood Banks

and Transfusion Society of Turkey as a non-profit,

non-governmental organization. The foundation

organized the IVth

Anatolian Blood Days workshop

was held from December 11-13, 2015 in Antalya,

Turkey. The theme of the workshop was Cost

Calculation of Blood Components & Payment

Systems. Representatives of economically

developed countries and also limited economical

source countries were invited. Discussions were

held on the cost calculation and payment system of

blood components.

The final declaration of ABD-IV emphasized on alternatives and solutions for the

actual problems as a result of discussions. ABD-IV continued with 8th

National

Blood Banks & Transfusion Medicine Congress of Turkey on December 14-18,

2015. AATM participants included Dr. Farrukh Hasan, President, Dr. N.

Choudhury, Secretary General and Prof. H.A Zaheer Vice President (Pakistan).

As Turkey is hosting the 12th Annual AATM Conference in April 2016 in Antalya,

the 3-member AATM delegation held detailed meetings with the organizers to

finalize the arrangements.

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4th Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Transfusion Medicine

The 4th

Annual National Conference of Indian Society of Transfusion Medicine (TRANSMEDCON 2015) was held in Kolkata,

India from December 4-6, 2015. Pre-conference workshops were conducted on December 3, 2015. With the theme Blood

Banking: The Next Generation Medicine, TRANSMEDCON 2015 featured a galaxy of world's best exponents of contemporary

Transfusion Medicine, diverse selection of scientific papers, an enticing industrial exhibition and cutting edge workshops. The

meeting offered a glimpse of scientific advancements and innovations, enchanting cultural events and cuisine.

Voluntary Blood Donation Programmes in Dhaka, Bangladesh

A blood donation programme was organized on the 40th Death

Anniversary of Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh

Mujibur Rahman, by the Department of Transfusion Medicine,

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Medical University and

AATM-Bangladesh Chapter with the aim to achieve Voluntary

Blood Donation 100% by 2020. Three blood donation camps

were organized in August and were inaugurated by Prof.

Kamrul Hasan Khan, Vice Chancellor, BSMMU and attemded

by Prof. Md. Sharfuddin Ahmed, Pro-Vice Chancellor; Prof.

Md. Shahidullah Sikder, Pro-Vice Chancellor; Prof. Md. Ali

Asgor Moral, Treasurer; Prof. Md. Habibur Rahman, Proctor;

Prof. M Iqbal Arslan, Dean, Faculty of Basic Science and Para

Clinical Science; Prof. Md. Ashadul Islam, Chairman, Dept. of

Transfusion Medicine along with distinguished guests Mr. Pijus

Bandapadhay, legendary cultural personality.

A blood donation programme was organized on December 16, 2015, at

the BSMMU Campus, Dhaka. The programme included a brief session

on awareness of blood donation and blood safety. The seminar was

attended by students and faculty members including Prof. Dr. Md.

Ashadul Islam, Chairman, Department of Transfusion Medicine and

Secretary, AATM- BGD Chapter; Mr. Siddiqur Rahman, Director

(Finance & Accounts); Dr. Jamal Uddin Kholifa, Director, Department of

Human Resource Management, Dr. Atiar Rahman, Assistant Professor,

Department of Transfusion Medicine and Dr. Dipok Kumar Das, Senior

Consultant, Department of Dermatology and Venereology.

Sri Lanka to Strengthen National Blood Transfusion Service with Dutch Assistance

The Sri Lankan government has initiated measures to improve the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) with the latest

technology, especially focusing on Northern and Eastern Provinces with the assistance from the Netherlands. Sri Lanka's

NBTS, Ministry of Health, is the sole supplier of blood and blood products to all state hospitals and some of the private

hospitals. It has 18 cluster centers and 96 blood banks island wide attached to major hospitals in the island. According to the

government, the NBTS is being under improvement to achieve the international standards and the project is almost completed.

The Honorable Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Mr. Rajitha Senaratne has proposed to establish several

facilities under the project which were not included in the original project layout. The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval

to the proposed additions which includes construction of a Special laboratories for NAT screening, HLA testing, Stem Cell

Transplantation and Establishment of Cord Blood Banking

National Institute of Biologicals CME Programme for Bhutan

The National Institute of Biologicals (NIB), India will organize for a CME programme in Thimpu, Bhutan on Haemovigilance

Programme of India (HvPI) for blood bank officials. The NIB officials conducted an orientation visit to Bhutan from December 6–

9, 2015, to identify the stakeholders and discuss modalities for organizing CME on HvPI at National Referral Hospital, Thimphu,

Bhutan. NIB has till date organized 24 CMEs on HvPI and trained around 4,800 participants under the CMEs in India. HvPI has

also recently broadened its reach by adding 29 more centres under it taking the total number of centres to 236 covering the

programme. HvPI is aimed at raising awareness of transfusion hazards and giving an early warning of new complications to

improve safety of blood transfusion for patients.

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National Workshop held on the Achievements in Safe Blood Transfusion Reforms in Pakistan

The National Workshop on “Achievements in Safe

Blood Transfusion Reforms” was organized by the Safe

Blood Transfusion Programme (SBTP) in collaboration

with GIZ on December 03 in Islamabad. The Workshop

was chaired by the Minister of State for National Health

Services, Ms. Saira Afzal Tarar. The German

Ambassador to Pakistan, Ms. Ina Lepel, GIZ Health

Advisor, Dr. Ruth Hilderbrandt (GIZ) and Mr. Wolfgang

Moellers (KfW) represented the German government.

Prof. Hasan Abbas Zaheer, National Coordinator, Safe

Blood Transfusion Programme and provincial

Managers and important national stakeholders were

also attended the workshop.

The objective of the national meeting was to share the

current status of project achievements, changes

brought about and its comparison with the blood

transfusion scenario before the project implementation

started in 2010. Also highlighted was the strategy of

how to carry forward the reform process. The Health

Minister expressed her genuine appreciation on the

successful implementation of the blood safety system

reforms through the SBTP, a Pak-German joint

cooperation. She termed the project as a “Success

Story” and the Pak-German cooperation a “Model to

emulate” and desired that this cooperation continue

uninterrupted to help secure and strengthen the

resources and efforts invested thus far so that the

vision of access to safe, efficacious and affordable

blood to all in the country becomes a reality in near future.

AATM Participation in Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Meeting in USA

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing

interdependence of the Asia-Pacific and head office is in Manila. APEC's 21 members aim to create greater prosperity for the

people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional

economic integration. During the 2nd

APEC High Level Blood Supply Chain Policy Forum held on October 22, 2015, in USA, Dr.

Ananda Gunasekera (Immediate Past President, AATM) was invited to deliver the key note address during the meeting. Dr.

Saba Jamal (Pakistan) was also invited to participate in the meeting and make a presentation.

IRETM, Iran offers PhD in Laboratory Haematology and Transfusion Sciences

The High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine (IRETM) has

started graduate programmes in the discipline of Laboratory Haematology and

Transfusion Sciences (concentration: transfusion sciences). IRETM is affiliated with

the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization. The aim of this course is to enable

students to advance the goals of blood services and find the ways for improvement.

The course provides students with an orientation in research about blood and blood

components. All potential national and international applicants are required to send

a copy of their CV together with their letter of application to the email address of

[email protected] that is considered to be the pre-initial.

Approval of Contract Fractionation by the Sri Lankan Cabinet

The Sri Lankan Cabinet has approved a tie-up with the Reliance Life Sciences, a firm belonging to the Reliance Industries, to

sell plasma to it to get plasma products from the Indian firm. Currently Sri Lanka is meeting its requirements of plasma proteins

through imports. In Sri Lanka, the National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS) collects about 100,000 litres of plasma

annually. Of this, 60,000 units are consumed for clinical use and the 40,000 litres surplus plasma can be sold to plasma

fractionators for the production of plasma proteins.

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Blood Donation Camp on International Youth Day, Kathmandu, Nepal

A blood donation camp was organized at the International Youth Day in Nepal. The Day was organized by the Rising Pattipa

Youth Club. The Nepal Red Cross Society under the supervision of Dr. Manita Rajkarnikar (Director, NRCS) collected blood

donations form voluntary blood donors.

2nd

International Conclave - Total Quality Management and Recent Trends in Transfusion Medicine

The 2nd

International Conclave_Total Quality Management and Recent Trends in Transfusion Medicine will be organized on

February 19, 2016, in Mumbai, India by the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Andheri (West) Mumbai. The Conference is

organized to discuss and explore the evolutionary trends in the field of Transfusion Medicine. For further details please contact

Dr. Nidhi Mehta ([email protected]).

Visit to IBTO by Health Ministers from Tajikistan and Afghanistan

High-ranking officials from

Tajikistan Ministry of Health

including the Deputy Minister of

Health (Dr. Nasim Olimov)

visited IBTO and held meeting

with IBTO Managing Director,

Prof. Pourfathollah, who briefed

the visitors on the background

and current activities of IBTO.

Dr. Mahtab Maghsudlu, IBTO

Deputy for Research &

Education briefed the visitors about the activities of High Institute for Research and Education on Transfusion Medicine. Dr.

Olimov requested IBTO to plan training courses for Tajik experts.

An Afghan delegation headed by H.E. Minister of Health, Dr. Ferozuddin Feroz visited IBTO on August 23, 2015 following the

signing of a MoU in which both parties agreed to collaborate in blood transfusion. Iran and Afghanistan have a long-lasting

cooperation on blood safety which started in 2009. IBTO contributed to different technical and educational projects organized by

the WHO to assist Afghanistan. To this end, a joint project has been planned and approved by Afghan Ministry of Health. During

the visit, IBTO approved the admission of Afghan students to MS and PhD programs at the HIRETM.

Visit of Crown Prince of Denmark to Nepal Red Cross Society

His Royal Highness Crown Prince

of Denmark, Frederik, visited Nepal Red

Cross Central office at Kathmandu and

took part in an interaction programme with

leaders of NRCS. Danish Red Cross

Society General Secretary and

Ambassador of the Embassy of Denmark in

Nepal were also present. The Prince in his

address thanked NRCS for supporting

people in remote villages in Nepal. NRCS

Secretary General highlighted the long-

term relationship between Danish RC and

NRCS. Earlier, as Commissioner for

Danish Red Cross, the Crown Prince

visited earth quake affected villages in

eastern part of Lamjung District.

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Mandatory Reporting of Transfusion Reactions to National Institute of Biologicals, India

The Drug Controller General of India has instructed the state drug controllers across the country to direct all licensed blood

banks for up-linking transfusion adverse reactions with National Institute of Biologicals (NIB) under the Haemovigilance

Programme of India ([email protected]). Accordingly all licensed blood banks are instructed by the respective state

drug controllers to obtain their user ID and password from NIB to uplink their adverse transfusion data through its

Haemovigilance software. There are 2760 licensed blood banks in India and after uplinking, data in transfusion reaction

reporting form will be collected by NIB online through a software named Haemovigil indigenously developed by IT division of

NIB. HvPI will also help generate evidence based recommendations through this transfusion related adverse reaction reporting

mechanism covering licensed government blood banks across the country.

The Victory of Blood Donation__National Blood Donation Week in Iran

National Blood Donation week in

Iran starts from 31th

of August, the

day on which IBTO was

established in 1974. During the

week, IBTO organizes different

cultural and educational activities,

campaigns and media partnership

to raise awareness of the society

on blood donation. This year,

Tehran Blood Transfusion Center

held a blood donation campaign

among the most popular soccer

team in Iran (Persepolis) to encourage the youth's partnership. During the event, Mehdi Taremi the young forward of the

Persepolis volunteered to give the blood, despite the ban placed to him by the coaches as he had an important match four days

after. He donated the blood and vowed to score a goal during the match. Surprisingly, he hit a winning goal during the match

and pointed to the location of his blood donation when joying his achievement. The event got a wide media coverage and could

serve as a good example for the youth especially other athletes to give blood.

49th

Anniversary Day Celebrations of CBTS, Nepal Red Cross Society

AATM launches Global Journal of Transfusion Medicine

Global Journal of Transfusion Medicine (GJTM) is a bi-annual peer reviewed international journal published by AATM. The aim

of the journal is to provide a common platform for all Asian countries for knowledge sharing and for highlighting achievements

in Transfusion Medicine in their respective countries. GJTM does not charge for submission, processing or publication of

manuscripts. The inaugural issue will be published in January 2016. For further details, please visit AATM website or contact,

Chief Editor GJTM, Dr. C. Shivaram ([email protected]).

Upcoming Events

17th

International Haemovigilance Seminar of International Haemovigilance Network, March 9-11, 2016, Paris, France

12th

Annual Conference of Asian Association of Transfusion Medicine, April 3-5, 2016, Antalya, Turkey

34th

International Congress of the International Society of Blood Transfusion, September 3 - 8, 2016, Dubai, UAE

Announcement Please send your news-items at [email protected] for inclusion in

the quarterly E-Newsletter of AATM.

The Blood Transfusion Service of Nepal

Red Cross Society was established in the

year 1966, i.e. 3 years after the inception

of the Society itself. The BTS celebrated

its 49th anniversary in September 2015,

where Mr. Sanjiv Kumar Thapa, Chairman,

NRCS awarded appreciation certificates to

Blood Donor Organizations and

volunteers.

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