Antoine Haddad1,2, Tarek Bou Assi3,4, Laura Haddad5, Perrine Wakim6, Rita Feghali7,8, Wissam Makki9, Mohammad Haidar10, Yorgui Teyrouz11, Hanadi Samaha12, Tamima Jisr13, Christian Haddad14, Elizabeth Baz15, Berthe Hachem16, Vanda Barakett17, Olivier Garraud1,18. 1. EA3064, Faculty of Medicine of Saint-Etienne, University of Lyon, Saint-Etienne, France. 2. Department of Clinical Pathology and Blood Banking, Hopital du Sacre Coeur, Baabda, Lebanon. 3. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jaledib, Lebanon. 4. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Blood Bank, Saint Joseph Hospital, Dora, Lebanon. 5. Faculty of Medicine, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon. 6. ESA Business School, Hamra, Lebanon. 7. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Blood Bank, Rafic Hariri University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon. 8. Lebanese Red Cross, Beirut, Lebanon. 9. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Blood Bank, Military Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon. 10. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Blood Bank, Bahman Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon. 11. Donner Sang Compter, Beirut, Lebanon. 12. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Blood Transfusion Unit, Saint George Hospital-University Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. 13. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Blood Bank, Makassed General Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon. 14. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Blood Bank, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Notre Dame de Secours, Jbeil, Lebanon. 15. Department of Blood Bank, American University of Beirut, Lebanon. 16. Department of Blood Bank, Middle East Institute of Health, Bsalim, Lebanon. 17. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hôtel Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon. 18. Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine, Paris, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lebanon has a decentralized/fragmented transfusion system. The current blood supply does not meet the World Health Organization target of achieving 100% voluntary non-remunerated blood donation (VNRD). There are currently 3 types of donors/donations in Lebanon: replacement/family donations (70-75%), VNRD (20-25%), and compensated donations (5-10%). Remunerated donations are illegal. AIMS: This report summarizes the content of presentations given during the first World Blood Donor Day seminar in Lebanon in June 2017. The aim is to describe the current Lebanese blood supply system and the major road blocks and to suggest practical recommendations that may assist in achieving 100% VNRD. METHODS: The content of presentations given during the first World Blood Donor Day seminar in Lebanon in June 2017 were summarized. RESULTS: The seminar was attended by all major stakeholders involved in transfusion medicine (Lebanese National Committee of Blood Transfusion, Hospital Blood Banks directors, Lebanese Army Blood Bank, Lebanese Red Cross and Donner Sang Compter). CONCLUSIONS: The Ministry of Public Health should focus on performing regular audits regarding the implementation of national guidelines. There is a need for a national blood supply committee, unifying all stakeholders in the transfusion and donation fields. Transfusion medicine should be declared by law as a public health issue and considered a priority for patient safety.
BACKGROUND: Lebanon has a decentralized/fragmented transfusion system. The current blood supply does not meet the World Health Organization target of achieving 100% voluntary non-remunerated blood donation (VNRD). There are currently 3 types of donors/donations in Lebanon: replacement/family donations (70-75%), VNRD (20-25%), and compensated donations (5-10%). Remunerated donations are illegal. AIMS: This report summarizes the content of presentations given during the first World Blood Donor Day seminar in Lebanon in June 2017. The aim is to describe the current Lebanese blood supply system and the major road blocks and to suggest practical recommendations that may assist in achieving 100% VNRD. METHODS: The content of presentations given during the first World Blood Donor Day seminar in Lebanon in June 2017 were summarized. RESULTS: The seminar was attended by all major stakeholders involved in transfusion medicine (Lebanese National Committee of Blood Transfusion, Hospital Blood Banks directors, Lebanese Army Blood Bank, Lebanese Red Cross and Donner Sang Compter). CONCLUSIONS: The Ministry of Public Health should focus on performing regular audits regarding the implementation of national guidelines. There is a need for a national blood supply committee, unifying all stakeholders in the transfusion and donation fields. Transfusion medicine should be declared by law as a public health issue and considered a priority for patient safety.