IBTS publishes 2008 Annual Report
IBTS publishes 2008 Annual Report
Blood donations increase by 3100 over previous year
The IBTS today (Sunday) published its annual report for 2008. Chairperson Katharine Bulbulia said that there was a significant increase in the number of donations received in 2008.
“The increase in donations meant that the IBTS was able to maintain the blood supply comfortably throughout the year. An additional 3100 donations is the equivalent of a weeks’ blood supply. It is our experience that in the current economic climate there has been a return to volunteerism, which is reflected in the numbers attending our blood donation clinics.
Chief Executive Andrew Kelly welcomed the Government’s approval for the building of a new transfusion centre in Cork which was a major breakthrough for the IBTS in 2008. “The IBTS has sought funding for this development for many years and we were delighted with the commitment demonstrated by the Government’s decision”.
“The IBTS also redeveloped the organisation’s website in 2008. www.giveblood.ie features enhanced services to donors on line, clinics can be located nationwide using Google mapping, an eligibility quiz is available to help people establish if they may be eligible to give blood and current blood supply is visible by blood group and days of availability. The aim of the website is to providing meaningful and useful information to donors and potential donors.”
IBTS Medical and Scientific Director Dr William Murphy said that the threats to the safety of the blood supply require constant surveillance. “As part of the response to the threat of infectious diseases, the IBTS seeks to introduce new technologies in blood safety as they are developed.
“In 2008, the IBTS introduced the next generation of advanced blood testing, single donation virus testing. This test represents the holy grail of testing for HIV, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B.
“vCJD remains an unknown but serious risk to the safety of blood transfusion. Screening tests for vCJD in blood donors are under development. So far no test has emerged that has the sensitivity to detect this elusive infection in the preclinical phase in blood donors. The IBTS continues to keep this area under close scrutiny.”
The IBTS Annual Report is available on line in .pdf format at www.giveblood.ie.
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