THIS IS AN ONGOING ACTIVITY. THE NARRATIVE IS UNCHANGED EXCEPT FOR UPDATED

REFERENCES TO TARGETS AND BUDGETS.

1. LIST OF RELATED ACTIVITES

This activity relates to the National Blood Transfusion Service's blood safety activity (#7011).

2. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

This activity seeks to reduce medical transmission of HIV through technical support from the American

Association of Blood Banks (AABB) to the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) for the provision of

adequate supplies of safe blood to all health care facilities in Kenya. Through twinning, AABB institutional

partners will provide expert guidance and technical assistance to the NBTS resulting in better practices in

donor recruitment, blood collection, laboratory quality assurance, blood bank management and transfusion

practice. This support will include training, monitoring, guidance, oversight and mentoring through site visits

and performance evaluation. This linkage will strengthen the national blood transfusion service and improve

institutional capacity for effective program management. It will result in enhanced sustainability and safety of

the blood supply. An AABB/NBTS evaluation of the NBTS, performed in FY 2005 provided information that

together with follow-up discussions in FY 2006 and FY 07 will be used to develop an action plan for further

activities in FY 2008. The AABB will also assist in the development of skills in NBTS and volunteer blood

donor recruiters for identification and recruitment of potential low risk volunteer donors and their retention as

regular donors. Findings of the KAP study performed in 2004 will also be used to support development of

IEC materials for donor recruitment. Continuing education of health care workers in donor recruitment,

blood banking and appropriate utilization of transfusion will be provided and systems for training

strengthened through development of curricula for different cadre of health care professionals as well as the

introduction of best practices and evidence-based approaches to transfusion practice in Kenya. In service

training and continuing education will be delivered through workshops, symposiums, on-the-job training and

mentoring. Standard operating procedures will be revised and staff trained on their utilization so as to

institutionalize quality assurance in blood collection, processing, issuing and for monitoring of adverse

events. Health care workers from 20 health care facilities will be trained on implementation of the recently

completed National Standards for Transfusion services. Appropriate methods for donor notification will be

developed in conjunction with NBTS. Reliable record keeping and data management systems will be

designed to facilitate program evaluation and monitoring. Technical support will be given to 20 hospital

transfusion committees. AABB will continue to guide the process of restructuring of laboratory space and

procurement of supplies for centralized blood testing in Kenya. These efforts will contribute to the PEPFAR

goal of improving safety and adequacy of the blood supply and in this way avert new cases of HIV infection.

3. CONTRIBUTIONS TO OVERALL PROGRAM AREA

At least 100 health care workers will be trained in blood safety. This activity aims to reduce transmission of

HIV through blood transfusion. At the current blood consumption rate in the country this would contribute to

the prevention of 4,000 cases of HIV.

4. LINKS TO OTHER ACTIVITIES

This activity relates to NBTS's blood safety program/Track 1 cooperative agreement (#7011).

5. POPULATIONS BEING TARGETED

The activity targets blood bank staff and health care workers in transfusing health facilities.

6. EMPHASIS AREAS COVERED

This activity includes major emphasis on local organization capacity development (NBTS), for prevention of

HIV transmission. An area of minor emphasis will be training of health care workers to enhance their ability

to mobilize safe blood donors and process and use blood appropriately.