National AIDS Control Programme

Untitled Document

Introduction

Policies and Guidelines

Programme Components

+ HIV Prevention and Treatment
   + Targeted Interventions for MARPs
        - National Truckers Project
        - Small Grant projects
    - HIV Care and Support
    - Blood Safety
    - STI Control
    - PPTCT
+ Advocacy and Communication
   - Advocacy
   + Communication & Stigma Reduction
      - Brochure
      - IEC Material
      - Posters
+ Governance & Institutional Framework
   - Governance
   - Capacity Building
   - National & Provincial
     Reference Laboratories
   - Programme Management
   - Monitoring & Evaluation

Provincial Programmes

Treatment & PPTCT Centres

Surveillance & Research

Blood Safety


SAFE BLOOD TRANSFUSION


"Safe blood" means blood that will not cause harm to the recipient and that has been fully screened and is not contaminated by blood borne disease such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, malaria and syphilis. The multifaceted concept of blood safety implies getting blood from healthy voluntary donors, ensuring proper storage of blood, screening donor blood to ensure that it is safe from infections, preparing blood components and avoiding its irrational use. Safe blood is according to WHO, a universal right which can only be guaranteed in the context of a sustained global co-operative efforts.


UNSAFE BLOOD ,remains a major but frequently neglected contributor to global spread of transfusion transmissible infections( TTIs ).The screening of blood is mandatory for blood safety.

BLOOD TRANSFUSION , A GLOBAL PROBLEM:
In 2000,safe blood was declared an organization wide priority and safe blood was designed the theme of ‘World Health Day 2000’.


Blood Transfusion services in Pakistan


In 2000, safe blood was declared an organization-wide priority and blood safety was designated the theme of World Health Day 2000. This was co-sponsored by the IFRCRCS and was celebrated by ministries of health, Blood Transfusion Services, blood donor organizations, NGOs, professional bodies and community organizations throughout the world To address issue regarding safe blood, the ministry of health formulated National Blood Policy in a landmark consensus National meeting held in 2002 under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and WHO. The Government of Pakistan established a National Blood Transfusion Committee(NBTC) and passed a National Blood Strategic Framework 2003-2007. The Ministry of health also planned to launch National Blood Transfusion Project in the country in collaboration with German Government. The joint project is concerned with the provision of safe and adequate blood supply for the population at large but more specifically to the vulnerable sectors of the society.

CURRENT SITUATION OF BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICES:

The blood transfusion services the country are mostly hospital based in 170 public and about 450 private blood banks . The annual requirement o blood is approximately 1.5 million bags with 40 %demand being met by public sectors. About 80 % of private sector blood transfusion take place in major cities including Karachi and Lahore. Despite efforts about 10-20% blood is still donated by the professional donors. The concept of voluntary Non- recommended Donors (VND) is almost non-existent due to the absence of blood donor recruitment strategy. Over 90%of total blood intake is from relatives of the patient. There is no system in place for the proper recruitment, record keeping and retention of blood donors except for few centers. Proper blood storage and transportation facilities are also not available in most public and private blood banks, which leads to wastage of significant proportion of the collected blood.

NACP ROLE IN EXECUTION OF NATIONAL BLOOD POLICY SERVICES:
NACP was the lead-executor for this project. NACP submitted a proposal on safe blood transfusion to the German government for this purpose. A bilateral agreement occurred between government of Pakistan and Germany to launch the blood safety project in Pakistan under which the technical support will be provided by GTZ and financial support will be from KfW. Over the years, National AIDS Control programme (NACP) has made significant contributions in improving the screening practices in the country through provision of logistic , screening practices and development of national guidelines on HIV testing. The HIV and Hepatitis B screening kits are also being provided to the public sector blood banks since 1995.In Punjab provinces, blood is also being screened in the public sector for Hepatitis C, but the situation in rest of the provinces remain unsatisfactory. The NACP , under its enhanced programme,to be implemented during 2003,has included provision of Hepatitis C kits to the provinces with the condition of having proper Quality Assurance and Monitoring System in place.

THE OVERALL GOALS TO ACHIEVE ARE:
To establish quality National Blood Transfusion Services in the country based upon the most up to date scientific and practical principles to ensure timely and adequate supplies of Safe Blood and Blood Products with maximum efficiency and minimum risk to the donors and recipients. To ensure adequate supply of blood through enhanced voluntary and regular non-remunerated donations and establish proper storage and transport facilities based upon the most recent recommendations in order to promote its efficient use. To enhance the capacity of the National Blood Transfusion Services in terms of the manpower, skills and infrastructure. To ensure reliable screening for Transfusion Transmissible Infections agents and maintain hazard-free environment in and out of blood Transfusion services . To ensure blood safety through adequate and efficient supplies of laboratory equipment and materials. To rationalize the use of blood component therapy, thereby reducing the hazards of transfusion through their effective use.

GUIDELINES TO SAFE BLOOD TRANSFUSION
Unsafe blood transfusion and its hazards. Transfusion of safe blood. World Health Day 2000. National Blood policy and Strategic Framework for the Blood Transfusion Services in Pakistan. National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) and its contribution in blood screening programmes. Goals to achieve through National Strategic framework.


	Technical Documents


•	Facts and Figures

•	Guidelines for Quality Control

•	National Blood Policy & Strategic Framework 2003-2007 Pakiatan

•	National Blood policy & strategic framework 2008-2012 for Blood Transfusion Services in Pakistan

•	Prevention of HIVSTI Transmission through Blood Transfusion

•	Blood Bank services Report

•	Research Tools for Blood Bank Services

•	List of Registered Blood Banks in Sindh