MoU signed to ensure safe blood transfusion

Agreement signed between K-P government, German bank

PESHAWAR: Efforts to provide safe blood transfusion will help provide blood to those in need and subsequently help save lives.

This was said by Minister for Health Shahram Khan Tarakai and mentioned in a handout issued by the health department on Tuesday. The minister was speaking at a ceremony held at Health Secretariat to sign a memorandum of understanding with KfW Development Bank Germany. He said the MoU, which will guarantee safe blood transfusions for those in need, was a milestone that will bring countless benefits to patients.

As per the agreement, the German bank will provide financial help for the establishment of regional blood centres (RBC) in K-P.



These centres will have a capacity of carrying out up to 20,000 blood donations annually. Meanwhile, the provincial health department will act as the executing agency for the project. “The bank will also help provide the required laboratory equipment to the RBCs and 12 other hospital-based blood banks,” the handout read. The German bank will also be responsible for training staff at the RBCs and hospital-based blood banks.

The project will cost approximately £4.42 million out of which KfW will provide £3.41 million. The time schedule for the preparation, implementation and operation of the project is 36 months, starting from the date the agreement was signed. The health department will supervise the project through a Project Monitoring Unit, the statement read. The department will also manage the construction of the RBCs.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2016.