Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2007 2008 2009

Details for Mechanism ID: 4628
Country/Region: South Africa
Year: 2008
Main Partner: American Association of Blood Banks
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: NGO
Funding Agency: HHS/CDC
Total Funding: $500,000

Funding for Biomedical Prevention: Blood Safety (HMBL): $500,000

SUMMARY:

The American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) has been awarded Track 1 funding to continue providing

technical assistance to the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) for purposes of strengthening the

blood supply in South Africa. The focus of this activity is to achieve substantial improvement in the affected

transfusion services and their infrastructure, and to improve transfusion safety. The ultimate goal is to effect

significant change in the incidence of transfusion-transmitted HIV.

BACKGROUND:

The AABB cooperative agreement funds technical assistance for 5 of the 15 PEPFAR target countries.

AABB has provided technical assistance to SANBS for the past three years.

ACTIVITES AND EXPECTED RESULTS:

ACTIVITY 1: Training

Training activities will focus on building human capacity and addressing the skills shortage in SANBS.

AABB will assist in quality improvements in training of trainers, training delivery, and documentation of

training, as well as operational activities to improve performance and knowledge of SANBS staff. In order to

facilitate knowledge and skills transfer, AABB will provide SANBS with AABB membership and facilitate key

personnel to attend the AABB Annual Meeting.

ACTIVITY 2: Incorporation of Western Province Blood Transfusion Service (WPBTS)

AABB will assist SANBS in the incorporation of the WPBTS into the SANBS PEPFAR program. This will be

accomplished by focusing on training and personnel development, and through the development of

appropriate information technology systems for the collection of national data as an indicator of the status of

blood transfusion in South Africa.

ACTIVITY 3: Establishment of Training Center

AABB will assist SANBS in establishing an international training center for blood center operations and

transfusion services. Following a comprehensive evaluation of the current process of training throughout

SANBS, AABB will assist in implementation of recommendations to improve the overall training process

throughout SANBS. Once this is established, AABB will assist SANBS in expanding the training center to

provide training opportunities to other African countries.

ACTIVITY 4: Policy and System Strengthening

Currently SANBS is self-regulated but they would like to move towards developing an external accreditation

program. AABB will assist with the establishment of the accreditation program to provide more objectivity on

the operations of SANBS. AABB will also participate in the development of South African national blood

policies, especially regarding notification of blood donor test results.

ACTIVITY 5: Information Technology Systems

SANBS rolled out the Meditech operational (information) system with technical assistance from AABB. This

will allow the management of the blood donor base, analysis of the effectiveness of donor education and

selection programs, risk management and the optimal management of the blood inventory. AABB will

continue to provide technical assistance as it is rolled out to all regions. AABB will also assist with the

development of M&E systems and Quality Management Systems data reporting for purposes of monitoring

improvement to blood safety and blood services operations. By providing technical assistance to SANBS,

AABB will help to ensure that the blood supply is safe and meets the blood supply needs in South Africa.

Building local capacity will also ensure the sustainability of SANBS programs.

Subpartners Total: $0
Emory University: NA
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: NA