MoH streamlines blood transfusion services

BY PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 17 March 2010

The health ministry will be supporting the blood transfusion services and researches, as well as safety of transferred blood all over the UAE.

THE UAE Ministry of Health (MoH) has approved a new set of programmes for blood transfusion in the UAE.

The set of recommendations drafted by the UAE health authorities to support blood transfusion safety procedures had been approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) a couple of days ago.

The basic requirements for the safety of blood transfusion presented at an earlier workshop in Sharjah have been considered as a guide to all the countries of the world, according to the health officials.

Dr Amin Al Amiri, executive director of Medical Practices and Licenses and chairman of the Blood Transfusion National Committee at the MoH, said that the health ministry will be supporting the blood transfusion services and researches, as well as safety of transferred blood all over the UAE.

"A third mobile blood transfusion bank will be included in the MoH services during the month of July. The ministry will also support new diagnosis programmes using DNA diagnostic methods," he added.

According to him, the UAE will be the first Arab country to use the technique, focusing on expanding the scope of diagnosis and supporting the role of DNA research labs, while employing qualified UAE nationals.

Dr Al Amiri was speaking after a meeting of directors of blood transfusions centres, blood donation campaigns, mobile blood banks and the MoH officials, held at the Sharjah Blood Transfusion Services Centre.

"A series of research programmes on the development of blood transfusion services are underway, focusing on infectious diseases and safety of blood transfusion," he added.

"The MoH will conduct a workshop about the advanced techniques of blood sterilisation in tandem with French healthcare establishment Macopharma," he said. "Directors of blood bank services in the UAE and the Middle East will participate in the workshop taking place in the coming weeks."

Moreover, Dr Al Amiri pointed out, "The current situation will be assessed, in order to avoid obstacles and meet development challenges, finding the best solutions in the field of blood transfusion services and researches."

"The annual report of the Sharjah Blood Transfusion and Research Centre has been recognised as the regional hub for the Middle East. The centre's reports will be sent directly to the WHO," he added.

The headquarters of the WHO in Geneva has circulated the recommendations to health authorities across the world, proposing them to adopt them as a requirement for blood transfusion safety programmes in the world.

"The WHO also focused on the need of applying self-assessment programmes and repeated screening policies for transmitted infectious diseases through blood transfusion practices to ensure adequate safety procedures," Dr Al Amiri said.