Sindh is taking major steps to strengthen blood transfusion services and improve access to safe, quality-assured blood across the province, with the expansion of two Regional Blood Centres (RBCs) expected to significantly increase annual blood collection capacity.
According to Hasan Abbas Zaheer, Member of the National Technical Advisory Committee at the Ministry of National Health Services and an advisor to the World Health Organization, the expansion builds on the progress made through the Safe Blood Transfusion Program (SBTP).
Regional Blood Centres Expand Capacity
Around a decade ago, the Safe Blood Transfusion Program, with support from the German government, established four Regional Blood Centres in Sindh, including centres in Karachi and Shaheed Benazirabad (SBA).
The centres have since contributed to the development of a more reliable and professionally managed blood transfusion system in the province.
The Government of Sindh has now approved further expansion of the Karachi and SBA centres.
Under the expansion plan:
- Karachi Regional Blood Centre's annual blood collection capacity will increase from 50,000 to 100,000 donations.
- Shaheed Benazirabad Regional Blood Centre's capacity will rise from 20,000 to 100,000 donations annually.
- Five additional hospital blood banks will be integrated with each regional centre.
- New equipment and improved infrastructure will be introduced.
- Additional trained and skilled professionals will be recruited.
- The expanded services are expected to become operational within three months.
Fatimid Foundation to Continue Managing Centres
The Government of Sindh previously entrusted the operation of the Karachi and Shaheed Benazirabad Regional Blood Centres to the Fatimid Foundation.
According to Zaheer, the organisation has managed the centres for the past eight years, maintaining a reliable supply of safe and quality-assured blood and blood components for patients across the province.
The initiative is being supported by the Safe Blood Transfusion Program, the Government of Sindh and the Fatimid Foundation.
Benefits for Thousands of Patients
The expansion is expected to improve access to safe blood for thousands of patients, particularly those requiring urgent transfusions.
Beneficiaries will include mothers facing obstetric emergencies, children living with thalassaemia, trauma patients and people undergoing major surgeries.
The increased collection capacity and integration of hospital blood banks are expected to strengthen the availability of blood and blood components in both urban and rural areas of Sindh.
Step Towards Universal Access to Safe Blood
The expansion represents more than an infrastructure development project, as it is aimed at building a stronger and more sustainable blood transfusion system in Sindh.
The initiative highlights the importance of long-term investment, effective governance, professional management and public-private collaboration in improving healthcare services.
The expansion of the two regional blood centres is being viewed as an important milestone in Pakistan's efforts to achieve universal access to safe and quality-assured blood.
