WHO Workshop on Appropriate and Safe Clinical Blood Transfusion

Organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and supported by the Macao Health Bureau, the workshop on “Appropriate and Safe Clinical Blood Transfusion” is convened on 27 to 30 September 2005 at the Macau World Trade Center. First time ever held in Macao, the workshop includes representatives from WHO, guest speakers who are blood transfusion experts from Australia, Luxembourg, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Macao, as well as some 30 participants coming from the western Pacific region and local medical practitioners. The objectives of this workshop are to update on various elements of appropriate and safe blood transfusion; to review the current status of and to share experiences in improving appropriate and safe clinical blood transfusion, in addition to develop strategies and national action plans to establish policy, systems and mechanisms to improve appropriate and safe blood transfusion. The Opening Ceremony of the Workshop will be held on 27 September at 9:00am on the 5th floor of the Macau World Trade Center. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Dr. Chui Sai On and Director of Health Bureau Dr. Koi Kuok Ieng will be the guests of honor inaugurating the ceremony. During the 4-day workshop, representatives of WHO will present topics on global and regional overview of blood safety, inappropriate transfusion practice – magnitude of the problem as well as the WHO strategy on appropriate clinical use of blood and safe transfusion practice. Advisor from Luxembourg Dr. Jean-Claude Faber will conduct an overview of establishing systems in that area. Besides, advisors from Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and Malaysia will share their experiences in developing haemovigilance program. 10 Country/regional reports on clinical use of blood will be presented. In addition, the workshop will also invite experts from South Korea, Malaysia and Australia to share their experiences in developing policy and establishing systems for ensuring appropriate clinical use of blood and safe transfusion practice. Other topics include roles of transfusion services, national and hospital transfusion committees; strategies/effective interventions in promoting and changing the prescribing habit of blood transfusion. Group discussion sessions will be held for participants to exchange problems encountered and the measures taken to set up appropriate practices. Director of Health Bureau Dr. Koi, in his welcoming speech, says that the Macao Government has imposed stringent standards on blood safety and has been very supportive in promoting voluntary and non-remunerated blood transfusion. Since Macao is only at the early stage of implementing appropriate and safe clinical blood transfusion practices, this workshop organized by the WHO will provide our local medical practitioners the perfect opportunity to understand the importance of appropriate and safe clinical transfusion. At the same time, they will acquire knowledge to develop and establish a system for Macao’s setting through group discussion and experience sharing with other participants.