In a significant step towards improving the quality and reliability of blood transfusion services across Syria, WATAN, in partnership with the Ministry of Health – General Organization of Blood Banks and with support from Action Medeor and NORWAC, convened a National Workshop on Updating Blood Bank Guidelines and Strengthening Management Systems. The event brought together medical specialists, public health professionals and representatives from multiple governorates.
Held in Damascus on 3 November and attended by H.E. Dr Musab Al-Ali, the Syrian Minister of Health, the workshop addressed the pressing need to revise the national operational guidelines for blood banks, enhance emergency response capacity, and develop a more coherent and effective donor-management system. Participants also reviewed a proposed digital model aimed at improving coordination and data flow between centres.
A key element of the workshop focused on digital transformation, during which WATAN presented its earlier experience in northwest Syria, where it developed and implemented a digital application for managing blood units and linking facilities. The model drew considerable interest from participants for its demonstrated impact on efficiency, data accuracy and service accessibility.
Throughout the day, discussions centred on operational challenges, the uneven availability of safe blood units, and the need for unified standards that ensure equitable access for patients most at risk. The workshop concluded with several concrete recommendations, including the establishment of a joint technical committee to finalise the updated national guidelines, prioritising operational readiness across blood banks, and launching a nationwide capacity-building programme for blood bank staff. Work will also begin on designing a digital platform compatible with major operating systems to support future integration.
In the days following the workshop, WATAN rolled out two practical training courses in Damascus and Daraa — “Infection Prevention and Control in Health Facilities” and “Blood and Its Components” — attended by 22 technical staff. Further training sessions are scheduled for December in Homs, Latakia, Tartous, Aleppo and Hama, forming the first phase of implementing the workshop’s recommendations and strengthening the skills of frontline personnel.
These efforts reflect WATAN’s long-standing commitment — spanning more than fifteen years — to supporting Syria’s blood transfusion system, developing national expertise and improving operational standards. Together with its partners, WATAN continues to work towards a more resilient, efficient and equitable national blood-banking system capable of serving communities across the country.