The Sharjah Blood Transfusion Center recently obtained international accreditation from the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) valid for two years until October 2017. This achievement is in line with the UAE’s strategic efforts to enhance its competitiveness in the field of medicine in the region and beyond, ensure the integrity and safety of blood transfusions, and improve the quality of health services provided to blood donors. It also reflects the improvement of the performance of employees at the center following training programs that have been organized in accordance with the latest developments in the field of health services.

The accreditation was granted after the centre underwent a rigorous assessment by a team of experts. The team tasked with overseeing the assessment examined the centre’s adherence to the standards of the AABB and if it operates in accordance with the established quality management as well as public and private health systems requirements for blood banks.

H.E. Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Centers and Clinics, President of the Supreme National Committee for Blood Transfusion Services, said:  “The Sharjah blood Transfusion Center has recently been granted international accreditation by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) in recognition of the centre’s strict compliance with the conditions imposed by the AABB. The AABB has long established a reputation for its steadfast commitment to the highest standards in blood transfusion and continues to operate in accordance with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), aside from being accredited by the International Society for Quality Healthcare (ISQua). This recent achievement echoes the vision of the Ministry of Health to be accredited by leading globally recognized organizations in the healthcare sector as part of the UAE National agenda, leading to the fulfillment of UAE Vision 2021.” 

He proudly noted that the UAE is set to host the World Conference of the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) where the Ministry plans to present four scientific papers. The Assistant Undersecretary further noted the completion by national cadres where localization ratio in the blood center reach to 89%.

Dr. May Yassin Raouf, Medical Director of the Sharjah Blood Transfusion Center, referred to their commitment towards implementing global standards to secure blood and its products during the process of donation, examination, separation and storage. She also emphasized the importance of conducting a comprehensive examination of the blood donation records and a preview of vital blood bank facilities to ensure the scientific and practical skills of the staff as well as the quality of public safety programs implemented in the Bank's procedures, including laboratory blood tests and blood transfusions.

She said: “The assessment covered administrative and technical operations as well as an evaluation of customer service satisfaction, review of the efficiency and performance of the employees and analysis of the risk preparation measures that have been put in place. This accreditation reflects the Ministry’s efforts to ensure the supply of safe blood to address the needs of patients in the 44 private and government hospital across the UAE.”

The Sharjah Blood Transfusion Centre is currently conducting a study to assess the latest integrated automatic screening system for testing blood donor samples, which will conduct serological and DNA testing for the detection of infectious and viral diseases. A report on the performance of the system will be submitted at the World Congress of the International Society of Blood Transfusion.