The National Workshop on Updating Blood Bank Guidelines and Strengthening Digital Management Systems concluded in Damascus, organized by WATAN in collaboration with the Ministry of Health – General Blood Bank Organization, and supported by Action Medeor. The workshop brought together national experts, medical professionals, and representatives of international health organizations.
The workshop was attended by H.E. Dr. Musab al-Ali, Minister of Health, who highlighted the essential role of blood banks in safeguarding lives and supporting the national healthcare system. He noted that, despite challenges related to limited resources and workforce shortages, significant progress had been made in recent months.
Dr. al-Ali emphasized that the sector is now moving from an emergency-driven approach to a phase focused on system strengthening, modernization, and digital transformation, stating:
“Digital transformation in blood bank management is vital to improving service quality, reducing waste, combating misuse, and enhancing coordination between the Ministry of Health, the medical services of other ministries, and international partners—within a unified national vision.”
From WATAN’s perspective, Director General Mohammad Al-Kanas explained that the workshop aimed to share the organization’s extensive field experience accumulated over more than fifteen years in establishing and operating blood banks, and to explore how these practices can be scaled and institutionalized at the national level.
“WATAN is working closely with the Ministry of Health to develop a unified national guideline that standardizes operational procedures across blood banks, ensuring quality, safety, and rapid emergency response,” Al-Kanas stated. “Strengthening donor management systems and building the technical capacity of personnel are also priority areas moving forward.”
Key Topics Discussed During the Workshop:
Updating the National Operational Guidelines for blood bank management.
Enhancing emergency response readiness in crisis situations.
Strengthening donor management and supply monitoring systems.
Presenting the proposed digital integration platform to link blood banks nationwide.
Defining priorities for training and technical workforce development.
Initial Outcomes of the Workshop:
Formation of a joint technical committee to finalize and adopt the updated National Blood Bank Guidelines.
Development of a pilot phase to introduce digital data integration across selected centers.
Preparation of a national training program to enhance the skills of blood bank personnel.
Drafting the foundational framework for a National Roadmap to unify procedures and improve service efficiency.
WATAN’s Continued Contribution
With more than fifteen years of operational experience in the blood transfusion sector, WATAN has:
Established and operated several blood banks in Northwest Syria.
Provided hospitals and medical centers with life-saving blood units in accordance with quality standards.
Trained and qualified specialized medical staff to ensure continuity of services.
WATAN is currently working on the rehabilitation and operational support of blood banks in Daraa, Latakia, Hama, Tartous, and Aleppo, which includes re-equipping facilities, providing medical supplies, and strengthening the technical capacity of the operating teams to ensure continuity and quality of services.