Department of Environmental Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad organized a Seminar on “Blood Safety and KAP Surveys on Blood Donation” in collaboration with National Blood Transfusion Programme (NBTP) and GIZ Safe Blood Project. The Seminar was attended by senior faculty members from IIU including Dr. Arshad Malik, Dr. Bashir Ahmed, Dr. Jabir Khan, Mohsin Ali, Dr. Asif Mir, Dr. Imran, Muhammad Iqbal, Muhammad Naseer, Jamal Ahmed, Zubair and experts from the GIZ SBT Project.
Usman Waheed, Technical Advisor GIZ SBT Project gave an overview of the new safe blood transfusion project in Pakistan with support from the German Government through Technical and Financial Assistance. Technical Assistance is provided through the German Technical Cooperation (GIZ) while KfW is responsible for the financial assistance. The role of Technical Assistance Component is to support the establishment of a legal and regulatory framework for safe blood transfusion in Pakistan and to provide advice for the setting up of a regulatory authority and achieving 100% voluntary blood donations. Earlier, he acknowledged the support provided by Prof. Muhammad Irfan, Dean Department of Environmental Sciences, IIU in organizing the seminar.
Paul Kohorst, Team Leader GIZ SBT Project outlined the institutional issues and social research. He informed the participants that vein to vein transfusion chain is undergoing a reform process and critical issues involved are legal, regulatory, institutional, operational, educational, conceptual and research. The research in voluntary blood donation has been addressed through a quantitative KAP (know-ledge attitude practice) survey. This was the first of its kind after the first qualitative study conducted by Prof. Zubia Mumtaz which revealed many myths and misperceptions. Both approached are complementary and would lead to improved VNRBD.
Ton Los, Technical Expert GIZ SBT Project presented the results of KAP survey and profiling of donors and non-donors. He elaborated the basic elements of a KAP survey which included the domain identification, identification of target population, sampling methods, time planning, questionnaire design, handling and management. He recommended on the basis of KAP results that blood donation requires more attention through internet, implement and encourage more blood donor societies for informing about BD and motivating to donate, sports and related organizations and clubs are also crucial to inform about BD and motivating to donate. He said the data are of great importance to get more insight in the ideas and opinions of the target group, i.e. 18-25 years old students. The results are used to start with designing profiles of the donors and non-donors. These profiles will help us to design appropriate public awareness campaigns (PAC).
In the concluding session, Drs. Arshad Malik and Bashir Ahmed, Assistant Professors IU, appreciated the project team for conducting the seminar and emphasized to have a culture of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation to make this system reform, a success. The activity was highly appreciated by authorities and it was proposed to GIZ team to conduct the seminar on same topic at the female campus as well.