The 16th National CME in Transfusion Medicine was inaugurated by Prof.Yogesh Chawla, Director, PGI. During his inaugural address, Prof.Chawla lauded the efforts made by the department in providing timely transfusion support to patients of thalassaemia major, hemophilia and dengue fever. He also appreciated the department’s involvement in stem cell research and teaching and training activities. The Department of Transfusion Medicine has been recognized as a Model Blood Bank and regional Blood Transfusion Centre by the Blood Safety Division of National AIDS Control Organization, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India.
Prof.R.K.Chaudhary stressed on the need for setting up a Hemovigilance system in India, where a system of surveillance of all events related to the transfusion process are reported and analysed. This helps in priority setting in blood safety and acts as a guiding principle for implementing new technologies. Dr.Meena Sidhu highlighted the quality practices in pre-transfusion testing which ensure right blood to the right patient at the right time. Dr.Satyam Arora explained the feasibility of implementing dedicated donor unit transfusion for newborns undergoing complex surgeries and requiring multiple units of blood transfusion. Dr.Ajju Agnihotri discussed application of new management tool – lean six sigma methodology in optimizing blood uses. Dr.Naveen Agnihotri and Dr.Meenu Bajpai moderated panel discussions on key issues in day to day transfusion practice and management of blood inventory.