Training in Japan for Blood Bank staff

JICA offers training opportunities in Japan for officials attached to National Blood Transfusion Centre (NBTC) Under the technical cooperation programme, on "Clinical Laboratory Technology and Management".

These training programmes are expected to conduct by JICA under the counterpart training programme of the "Project for Improvement of the National Blood Transfusion Centre in Sri Lanka - (NBTC)".

The purpose of this programme is to strengthen the technical capability of NBTC staff as JICA feels the counterpart component plays a vital role in the smooth implementation of a project, said a JICA press release.

During the four-year project period commencing from 2005, ten NBTC officials are provided with the opportunity to undergo training in Japan every year under the counterpart training programme of the Project. In completion of the Project, 40 health-related officials are to receive training in Japan.

The first batch left for Japan on January 11 for a two-week's training programme and this batch is inclusive of four doctors, three nurses, two medical laboratory technologists and a public health inspector.

They will receive training in blood donor recruitment, Donor Care and Management, quality assurance in blood transfusion services, microbiological and immuno-haematological testing in blood transfusion practice, blood collection, stock management and clinical use etc.

These training programmes are specially designed by the NBTC officials in keeping with the need of their staff attached to NBTC. The task of training and education, which aims at enhancing the management of blood transfusion, has been conducted in alliance with the World Health Organisation in line with the international standards.

The construction of a new three-storied building complex with modern machinery and equipment in Narahenpita is the main component of the "Project for the Improvement of National Blood Transfusion Services" which has been financed by the Japanese Government under the Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) Loan through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) with a loan of 1,508 million Japanese Yen.

The foundation stone laying ceremony was held in March 2005 and construction of the building complex is scheduled to be complete in March, the release said.