International conference on blood donation

The Malta Blood Donors Association, in collaboration with the International Federation of Blood Donor Organisations, is holding an international conference on cooperation among Mediterranean countries for the development of non-remunerated blood donation.

The conference will highlight efforts by the federation to develop blood donor associations in the Mediterranean.

Fifty delegates from around 20 African and European countries will discusss strategies and programmes aimed at blood donor recruiting and maintaining.

Maltese delegates will outline the current developments and vision portrayed in the National Awareness Campaign, recently launched by the association, which advocates more regular blood donations by individuals and working groups.

Dr Alex Aquilina, director of the Blood Transfusion Centre, will also outline the national blood transfusion plan and the role played by blood donor organisations and their relationship with government and transfusion services.

The conference is being held at the New Dolmen Hotel in Qawra between Friday and Sunday.