Events
INSIGHTS: Saving Lives with Innovative Blood Management Systems
On the 14th of June, the world will be celebrating World Blood Donors Day! The aim of the celebration is also a timely moment to address continued challenges, and accelerate progress towards a future where safe blood transfusion is universally accessible. This objective and more shaped discussion during the 22nd episode of Insights Webinar.
Seasoned Public Health Professionals and experts who have dedicated their lives to saving lives using innovative blood management systems were on ground to address critical issues around blood crises across the globe. This month’s episode dissected the development and implementation of advanced technologies to improve efficiency and effectiveness of blood management systems as the world gradually moves from traditional approaches of blood donation and management.
The panelists discussed the challenges around blood donation to include strong and core religious beliefs, lack of awareness and education, inadequate infrastructure for blood collection and preservation. These challenges have accounted for low blood donation which is a significant global health challenge.
The economic value of integrating technology into blood management according to the panelists include minimized wastage of blood by keeping track of expiration period of the blood, reminders to donors for constant availability of blood in the blood bank. It also ensures timely and safe blood transfusion.
During the webinar, Panelists also revealed collaboration between eHealth Africa and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital to pilot a Blood Information for Crisis Intervention and Management (BISKIT); a digital tool developed by eHealth Africa. The BISKIT is a specialized software solution consisting of both mobile and web applications designed to manage various aspects of the blood donation chain from donation to distribution stage for improved patient outcome.
Panelists call for collaboration with the local leaders and community health workers to improve education on fears and cultural taboos around blood donation and transfusion. This, according to them, will go a long way in tackling blood crises in developing and low income countries.
Moderator
- Onome Faith Egbra – Coordinator, Software Business Analyst
Panelists
Dr Aisha Amal Galadanci – Haematologist Consultant/Senior Lecture Bayero University, Kano
Jamil Galadanci : Senior Manager, Global Health Informatics, eHealth Africa
Dr Ibrahim Musa – Head of Haematology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano
