Betterment of blood bank (B3), project review:

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"Promoting safe and sustainable blood transfusion system in Nepal"

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It is a technical development program for quality system development in Central Blood Transfusion Service (CBTS), Nepal, initiated by NRNA in technical collaboration with Sanquin Consulting Service, the Netherlands.

 

Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) is one of the priority programs of the Government of Nepal (GoN). The Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) started providing the institution‐ based BTS through the Department of Pathology at Bir Hospital in 1964 and the first BTS was established as Laxmi Blood Bank in 1966. In recognition of the pioneering and long service of NRCS, in 1992 His Majesty’s Government of Nepal (HMG/N) mandated NRCS as the sole agency to conduct the blood programs in Nepal. A national policy on BTS was then developed and approved by HMG/N through a cabinet decision in 1993.

 

During the initial years, BTS in Nepal was available only in Kathmandu but over the years, it has been expanded to 105 BTS Centers (BTSC) in 73 of the 75 districts of the country. Out of these 105 centers, one is functioning as NRCS Central BTS Centre (CBTSC). At present, BTS is being regulated by Central Blood Transfusion Service (CBTS) under Nepal Red Cross Society. Ministry of health (MoH) has established a regulated body, NBBTS, under National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL).

 

The supply of safe and adequate blood and blood products has remained one of the main goals of the National Blood program. However, several limitations exist within the CBTS to reach the goal in satisfactory levels. Among many, the major limitations are the lack of technical expertise and the state-of-art facility in preparation of blood products required for any sort of demand. Additionally, in current situation the CBTS also lacks the availability of latest screening assays for supply of safe and quality blood or blood products. With the objective to uplift the standards of BTS in Nepal, NRNA SKI teamed up with a few Nepalese professionals working in different parts of the world. The team aims to develop and establish a strategy for promoting safe and sustainable blood transfusion system in Nepal. The team has technical collaboration with Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, The Netherlands who technical expertise will be used for this project.

 

Aims and Objectives:

The objectives are planned to meet in different phases.

 Support for strategic planning and capacity building for the basic necessity of CBTS Nepal to develop: “Centrally Coordinated Blood Transfusion Service with the guarantee of Minimum Standard Quality Overall the Country”, with the intellectual and technical support from Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, The Netherlands.

 

 Review the existing status of blood centers in Nepal in terms of infrastructural facilities, human resources, managerial and technical aspects.

 

 Conducting research with the help of trained staff under Sanquin - CBTS training program to Identify gaps between current practices and WHO recommended standards. Apply the uniform methods for gradual improvements in the system.

 

 Support in the development of donor screening and diagnostic assays for safe supply of blood and blood products as per demand.

 

 Support in expansion of production of different blood products as per demand in Nepal’s medical and surgical context.

 

Collaborating Partners:

Sanquin Consulting Services, NL CBTS, Nepal

 

Funding Partners:

TBI Group NRNA, NL

 

Facilitator:

NRNA