Medlab Middle East is organising a Blood Transfusion Medicine Conference on June 24, 2021, to discuss the challenges faced by the region's blood donation sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the conference, a wide range of sessions will take place to discuss the ongoing developments in the sector during the global fight against COVID-19.

According to the latest data released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 118 million blood donations are made throughout the world every year. However, the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted blood donations across various countries last year.

As per the peer-reviewed general medical journal The Lancet, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected blood transfusions globally due to a decrease in the number of donations. However, a drop in the demand for blood transfusions last year paralleled the decrease in donations. Furthermore, the authorities initiated contingency planning in line with policies designed in case of shortages to meet the demand. 

The UAE authorities also introduced an array of measures during the pandemic, including postponing non-essential surgeries to focus on meeting the blood needs for critical health issues.

Rejoy Penacerrada, Conference Director for Informa Markets, underlined that this year’s Blood Transfusion Conference will focus on various topics to address the impact of the pandemic on blood services across the world.

"We have recruited several global leaders on the subject, and their insights will be invaluable to the sector as we move into a post-pandemic world," Penacerrada said.

The opening session at the event, titled "Insights on COVID-19 Implication on Blood Services" will be moderated by Dr. May Yassin Raouf, Head and Medical Director, Dubai Blood Donation Centre. The conference will also see another session to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on transfusion medicine, moderated by acclaimed Professor Erica Wood, President of the International Society of Blood Transfusion.

A session named "Frozen blood cells technology for emergency and rare blood groups" will take the centre stage at the conference as it will focus on innovations in blood donation and transfusions. The session will be moderated by Prof. Masja de Haas, Department of Immunohaematology Diagnostic Services, Centre for Clinical Transfusion Research, Sanquin Research and Department of Immunohaematology and Amsterdam-based Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre.

In this regard, the UAE recently introduced the frozen blood cells technology to save blood units and rare blood groups in order to use them in times of emergencies and disasters.

The Medlab Middle East will coincide with Arab Health, taking place from June 21-24 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event is expected to attract a large number of leading laboratory and trade professionals from countries across the region. They will be participating in both live and in-person sessions during the event.

The event will also organise keynote speeches, scientific lectures, industry briefings, product demonstrations, and networking opportunities along with one-to-one meetings with professionals with the aim of establishing lasting relationships among the stakeholders.

In addition, a virtual showcase of Medlab Middle East is scheduled to take place from May 23-June 22, 2021.

WAM