The First Meeting of the Heads of Blood Transfusion Organizations/Authorities of ECO Member States was held at the ECO Secretariat Tehran on 23-24 June, 2008. It was hosted by the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) in collaboration with the ECO Secretariat. Delegates from the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Uzbekistan participated in the meeting. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Red Crescent Society also attended the meeting.
His Excellency Dr. Kamran Bagheri Lankarani, Minister for Health and Medical Education of the Islamic Republic of Iran, inaugurated the Meeting. Mr. Khurshid Anwar, the ECO Secretary General, Professor Hassan Abolghasemi, Executive Director of the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization and Dr. Ambrojio Manenti of WHO also made statements during the inaugural session.
The participants reviewed the current status of blood transfusion in the region, exchanged ideas on blood safety quality systems in the ECO Member States and evaluated the available potential for regional networking and cooperation.
Acknowledging the vital need for availability of adequate and safe blood for the health and well being of their people, the meeting recommended setting up the “ECO Blood Transfusion Services Network”. With the active participation of national authorities, it would promote cooperation of national blood banking and transfusion services. It would cover all aspects of safety and availability of blood and blood components to improve quality of life and healthcare in the member states.
The participating delegates also would promote communication and collaboration between existing transfusion services and facilitating technical collaboration through exchange of information, joint training courses and other means.
The meeting also identified main priority areas within the context of blood transfusion services for future cooperation. These would include Voluntary donors’ recruitments programs; Blood safety; GMP in blood banks; Incorporation of IT and Automated Screening in blood transfusion system; Procurement collaboration (Blood bags and equipments); Hemovigilance and Collaboration in Plasma Industry.
The Republic of Turkey would host the Second Meeting of the Heads of Blood Transfusion Organizations/Authorities of ECO Member States.
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