Shanghai Blood Center (SBC) sent research member Dr. Xun WANG to participate in the Workshop on Research to Address Gaps in International Blood Availability and Transfusion Safety: Challenges and Opportunities in Bethesda, MD, USA. Held between April 18th and 19th, the workshop was jointly organized by the Division of Blood Diseases and Resources (DBDR) and the Center for Translation Research and Implementation Science (CTRIS) of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The purpose of the workshop was to identify the key research priorities for improving blood safety and availability in low- and mid-income countries.

The workshop invited experts on blood services and clinical transfusion from the US and all around the world to discuss the priority problems regarding blood supply and transfusion safety in developing countries. In order to ensure workshop quality and efficacy, invited experts were divided beforehand into 10 working parties according to their global region. These groups were given three months in advance to identify and discuss the local priorities in their region. Group findings were then presented and discussed during the actual workshop. Dr. Wang was also invited to present the experiences and successful results of an Australia-Chinese joint program on China International Transfusion Infections Control (CITIC) during the workshop.

Edited by Kurt Lee

Dr. Wang presenting during the workshop