The Governing Council of BBMT-Pakistan convened for its annual meeting to deliberate on strategic advancements in blood transfusion practices. The meeting took place in Langkawi, Malaysia, during the 5th Annual Conference of BBMT in the month of December 2024.
Chaired by Dr. Dur-e-Naz Jamal, President of BBMT-Pakistan, the session highlighted several key decisions aimed at enhancing the organization’s global impact. Dr. Usman Waheed, Secretary of BBMT-Pakistan, presented an overview of the organization’s progress, outlining its growth trajectory and recent accomplishments.
A major milestone achieved during the meeting was the unanimous inclusion of international experts, including Jenny White (ISBT, Netherlands) and Joanna Bikulciene (Lithuania), into BBMT’s Advisory Panel. Additional global leaders are also being approached to join the panel. Brig. (Retd.) Prof. Munir Akram Lodhi was unanimously elected as a Governing Council member representing Punjab.
The council also discussed details about the Education Course for Leadership of Blood Services (ECLBS) in China and expressed interest in organizing similar 3-4-week leadership training courses in Pakistan, inspired by ECLBS. Collaborations with regional and global partners were emphasized to strengthen leadership training and capacity-building programs.
Discussions were held regarding the venue for the 6th Annual Conference of BBMT in 2025. Five potential options were presented: Iran, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and/or a hybrid model. The governing council also explored revising national blood transfusion standards and guidelines, along with re-evaluating the National Blood Policy, proposing actionable steps to address identified gaps.
The council approved an annual plan for capacity-building activities, emphasizing the training of clinicians, nurses, and master trainers in modern blood banking techniques.
BBMT-Pakistan continues to play a pivotal role in advancing safe transfusion practices and nurturing international cooperation.