A delegation of blood transfusion experts called on the Honorable Governor Balochistan, Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail. The delegation included Prof. Hanif Mengal (Quetta Regional Blood Centre), Dr. Usman Waheed (Islamabad Medical and Dental College), Dr. Noore Saba (Peshawar Regional Blood Centre), Dr. Akhlaaq Wazeer (Mirpur Regional Blood Centre), Abdul Haleem Baloch, and Dr. Shafi Khosa, both from Quetta Regional Blood Centre.

The experts highlighted the critical role of safe blood transfusion within healthcare systems, focusing particularly on the challenges faced by the Quetta Regional Blood Centre (RBC). This centre, part of a network of 15 RBCs established with a grant from the German government, operates with funding from the provincial health department.

Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the Quetta RBC processes each blood donation into three products: platelets, fresh frozen plasma, and red blood cells. It supplies these products to various local hospitals (mainly Bolan and Civil Hospitals) and thalassaemia centres.

The Governor stressed the importance of ensuring blood safety and thorough testing for infectious diseases, especially for thalassaemia patients. He underscored the need for preventive measures and awareness campaigns to improve the quality of life for those affected by the disease. The Governor pledged his full support for blood safety initiatives and the RBC’s efforts.

He also accepted an invitation to visit the Quetta RBC soon. The meeting concluded with a presentation of a souvenir to the Governor and a reaffirmed commitment to providing safe blood for the people of Balochistan.