Prevention of Transfusion-transmitted HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Infections in Asia (Phase II)

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan

The Grant was in support of the second phase of the project, which aimed to prevent the medical transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and C and other transfusion-transmissible infections in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan. This was achieved through firstly, strengthening the national blood systems; and secondly, improving access to safe, good-quality and adequate blood supplies. The project objectives were to improve availability of safe blood supplies through voluntary non-remunerated donations, ensure safety of blood supplies and transfusion-transmitted of HIV and hepatitis through quality management, reduce unnecessary transfusions through good clinical transfusion practices and improve quality and safety of blood products and transfusion through haemovigilance systems. During the project period, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan supported this joint OFID/WHO project and made significant progress towards improving the availability of safe blood supplies through VNRBDs, universal coverage and quality-assured testing of all donated blood for transfusion and the prevention of transfusion-transmitted HIV/AIDS and hepatitis infections as well as the appropriate clinical use of blood and blood products. Quality management systems, including the establishment of regulatory oversight mechanisms were incorporated into the goals of each of the project countries. Development of national haemovigilance systems and capacity-building in Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan are important steps to take towards the goal of increasing the safety, efficacy and efficiency of blood transfusion and ensuring patient and donor health safety. It focused on addressing identified challenges, consolidating the accomplishments that were achieved and developing effective and sustainable blood transfusion systems to ensure universal access to safe blood for transfusion in all the project countries. WHO staff members at WHO Headquarters, reginal offices for Eastern Mediterranean and South-Eastern Asia and the country offices in the project countries, with the support of WHO advisory expert panel members and WHO collaborating centre provided managerial and technical support for the implement of the project. The project contributed to countries achieving of the goal of the prevention of the medical transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and C and other transfusion-transmissible infections and improving access to safe, quality and adequate blood supplies in the four countries.