The Project for Restructuring the Blood Transfusion Services of MoHP

1. The Project for Restructuring the Blood Transfusion Services of MoHP Overview of the Project – special focus on National Blood Policy Dr. Faten Moftah D.G. NBTS, MOH

2. 1.Overall Goal of the Project To upgrade, enhance and extend the Blood Transfusion Services of MoH. • Establishing customized and modern Blood Transfusion Services in the whole Egyptian territory. • Establishing a regulatory body of blood practices in Egypt.

3. 2. Main Objectives of Phase I and II of the Project • Centralisation of the activities of the Blood Transfusion Services –a network consisting of NBTC, 17 RBTCs and 6 DBBs. • Capacity building in: • the recruitment and retention of voluntary non-remunerated blood donors from low risk population. • the screening of all donated blood for infectious diseases. • the application of appropriate clinical use of blood. • the development and application of National Quality Management Standards. • Establishment of an appropriate information management system that provides IT support for the main business processes.

4. 3. Setting of the Project (1/2) • A project of the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population (MoH) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). • The Project is funded through the Swiss-Egyptian Mixed Financing Agreement between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Swiss Confederation. In addition, a Technical Assistance Programme is granted by SECO. • Phase I: 1997 to 2002Establishing the NBTC and 8 RBTCs. • Phase II: 2003 to 2011Completing the NBTS network and ensuring its continuing functionality. • Swiss Red Cross is mandated by SECO to assist the MoH in the Project’s implementation and to safeguard SECO’s interests.

5. 3. Setting of the Project (2/2) • Egypt is divided into 12 Blood Transfusion Regions with one or more Regional Blood Transfusion Centres (RBTCs). • The National Blood Transfusion Centre (NBTC) is the headquarter of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS). • The NBTS consists of the NBTC, 10 large and 7 small RBTCs and 6 District Blood Banks (DBBs). • DBBs are located in remote areas and they are overviewed and technically supervised by closest RBTC

6. 5. Main Elements of Phase II of the Project • National Blood Policy and Plan. • Refurbishment of sites (9 RBTCs and 6 DBBs). • Procurement of laboratory equipment, maintenance services and consumables as well as installation and maintenance of laboratory equipment and training of blood transfusion center staff. • Procurement and installation of an appropriate information management system as well as training of blood transfusion center staff. • Technical Assistance Programme (TAP) • ACUB • BDR / BC • Laboratory Services • QM • General Management

7. 6. National Blood Policy and Plan, elements • Organization of the National Blood System (NBS). • Financing. • Voluntary non remunerated Blood Donor Programme. • Laboratory Testing. • Storage and Distribution of Blood and Blood Products. • Appropriate clinical use of Blood and Blood Products. (ACUB) • Haemovigilance • Quality Management System. (QMS) • National Information Management System. (IMS) Source: WHO, Aide-memoires for National Blood Programmes, July 2002

8. National Blood Policy and Plan, elements.. Cont. • Human Recourses. • Collaborating with National and International Partners. • The identification of National Needs for Fractionated Products. • Capacity Building in Tissue and Stem Cell Collection and Banking. • National Blood Transfusion Standards. • The Development of a national Contingency Planning Mechanism. • The Roles and responsibilities of Hospital Blood Banks. (HBBs) • Professional and Ethical Principals in Transfusion.

9. Aims of National Blood Policy and Plan for Egypt • Establishment of one organisation (NBTS) to be solely responsible and accountable for the supply of blood products (collecting, testing, processing, storing and issuing) within MoH. • Formation of a regulatory body of blood practices in Egypt. • Conversion of 300 Governmental Blood Banks into Hospital Blood Banks with the function of storing and issuing blood banks - blood products will be supplied by NBTS only. • Establishment of an efficient and sustainable Financial Management System for NBTS (cost recovery system and clear budget allocation). • Adaptation of legal frame work.

10. 7. Organization of NBS Advisory Board for Blood Transfusion Activities • Advisory board to the Minister MoH Main Functions: • Developing National Blood Policy and Plan and supervising their implementation. • Ensuring that NBTS is able to function effectively in its respective role. • Ensuring the adequate and appropriate funding for NBTS by MoH. • Developing necessary regulations for NBTS and clinical users of blood.

11. Organization of NBS… cont National Blood Regulatory Authority (NBRA) Main Functions: • Regulation and accreditation of NBTS and hospital blood practises in Egypt through a programme of regular inspections performed to high standards and against the appropriate national standards. • Ensuring that the National Blood Policy is implemented. • Managing data and statistics for blood services in Egypt.

12. Organization of NBS… cont National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) Main Functions: • Collecting, processing, testing and issuing blood and blood components – sole provider of blood products within MoH. • Ensuring the overall quality of blood products issued in Egypt. • Blood Donor Recruitment and Blood Collection activities. • Consultation on Appropriate Clinical Use of Blood. • Data Collection and Management.

13. Organization of NBS… cont Hospital Blood Banks (HBBs) Main Functions: • Local transfusion support to patients (cross-matching of blood products obtained and patients’ blood groups). • HTC • Storing and issuing of blood products. • Hemovigilance