World Blood Donor Day: SBTP hailed for implementing blood transfusion programme

To mark World Blood Donor Day on June 14, seminar was held at SZABMU under banner of Safe Blood Transfusion Programme.

To mark World Blood Donor Day on June 14, a seminar was held at the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) on Thursday under the banner of Safe Blood Transfusion Programme (SBTP).

SBTP also organised a poster and essay competition to mark the day. Students from more than 21 universities took part in the competition. The winners were awarded shields, certificates and cash awards by the chief guest, Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Secretary Faridullah Khan.

The posters had also been displayed at the venue. SZABMU Vice Chancellor Prof Javed Akram and SBTP Project Director Prof Hasan Abbas Zaheer were also present.

The CADD secretary appreciated the efforts of the SBTP team in implementing the blood transfusion programme and raising awareness about voluntary blood donation. He expressed confidence that in the presence of inspired students there should be no shortage of voluntary blood donors in Islamabad. The secretary said that preparation for the construction of the Regional Blood Centre in Islamabad has already begun.

Prof Akram appreciated the efforts of Prof Zaheer in mobilising the youth of Islamabad and particularly the students of the Federal Medical and Dental College for donating blood. He also praised him and his team in improving the standard of transfusion services in the hospital.

Prof Zaheer talked about the progress and achievements of the programme and highlighted the efforts and strategy to promote voluntary blood donations through mobilization of the university students in Islamabad. He also appreciated the commitment of the government to promote the cause of blood safety in the country and also thanked the German government for their support. He also acknowledged the World Health Organization for providing technical assistance to the programme.

The SBTP, initiated in 2010, has started to bear fruit and created a platform for all the stakeholders in the sector of blood transfusion. It has developed into a very impressive public health programme and is being successfully implemented not only at the federal level but also in all the provinces.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2014.