On September 25, 2024, the 12^th National Congress of CSBT was hold in Hefei. This congress was organized by CSBT, co-organized by Anhui Blood Center and other establishments, enrolling nearly 3,000 domestic delegates to discuss the latest advancements in transfusion medicine and other related fields.

At the opening ceremony, multiple leaders were present and delivered speeches. Firstly, GAO Guangming, the deputy director of the Medical Emergency Department of the National Health Commission, thoroughly recognized the accomplishments achieved in our blood management and identified the future challenges in voluntary blood donation. He underlined the necessity of unity and joint efforts across regions to guarantee the safety of blood supply. LIU Tongzhu, the director of the Anhui Provincial Health Commission, indicated that holding the congress in Anhui constitutes an affirmation and encouragement for the provincial blood business. He also expected that peers in Anhui could avail themselves of this opportunity to improve their capabilities in blood management. Subsequently, president ZHU Yongming from CSBT, delineated the primary contents and prominent features of this congress, encompassing on-site reports by WHO and ISBT experts, as well as local academic activities. He signified that CSBT will consistently aim at high-quality development and play a contributory role in enhancing China's voluntary blood donation industry.

During the congress, delegates engaged in profound deliberations regarding cutting-edge subjects of transfusion medicine and other related fields. The congress comprised 7 plenary reports, 43 parallel sessions, 40 theme reports, 261 oral presentation, and 7 satellite symposium, featuring a rich content and diverse forms. Furthermore, the congress, for the first time, invited experts from WHO and ISBT to present on-site reports and set up an ISBT booth, thereby offering more opportunities for international communication.

The congress also placed particular emphasis on supporting blood transfusion business in ethnic minority regions and remote areas, by exempting their members’ registration fees, and funding young professionals from Yunnan, Qinghai, Tibet, Inner Mongolia, etc. through the Seedling Program and the Hand-in-Hand Program.

As one of the most distinguished academic assemblies in the industry, the National Congress of CSBT had evolved into a vital platform for promoting the development of China's blood transfusion undertaking. This congress not only displayed the outstanding achievements attained in diverse aspects such as blood collection, supply, and clinical transfusion, but also provided more opportunities for communication among peers, infusing new impetus into the industry.

Reported by CSBT Secretariat;           

Translated by ZHANG Ruoyang;

Reviewed by ZHU Shanshan.