The Department of Transfusion Medicine, PGIMER, Chandigarh organized the XIIIth National CME-cum-Workshop in Transfusion Medicine, on 12th and 13th September, 2009.
Nearly 200 delegates and eminent professionals in the field of Transfusion Medicine participated in the CME. Delegates from adjoining states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, J&K and Delhi, actively participated in the scientific talks delivered by the eminent Guest Faculty. The spectrum of topics that were covered in the CME included the re-organisation of the Transfusion set-up in our country by Dr. Debasish Gupta to ensure quality blood supply uniformly across the country. Dr. R.K. Choudhury discussed the role of Whole Blood usage in certain specific settings like Obstetric hemorrhage and neonatal exchange transfusions. Also discussed were the practical issues concerning the set-up of Blood Storage Centres in our country by Dr. Kum Kum Sharma.
Blood Safety concerns were also addressed, where Dr. Kulbir Kaur discussed the testing strategies for transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) and Dr. Nabajyoti Choudhury discussed the implications of reactive TTI results in a blood donor.
There was extensive discussion regarding blood component preparation and therapy. Dr. Kabita Chatterjee highlighted the planning of such cost-effective facilities. Dr. Sabita Basu dealt with Quality Control parameters of Blood components and Dr. Ravneet Kaur discussed the Guidelines for good transfusion practices of blood components.
Discussions and deliberations were also held regarding the preparedness of Transfusion Services during epidemics like Dengue fever by Dr. R.N. Makroo and the challenges for Transfusion services during disaster by Dr. Veena Doda.