In Myanmar Central National Blood Bank (CNBB) was established under the Ministry of Health receiving the blood from donors for the patients who need blood must get clean and disease free blood readily.

Blood is widely used as life saving therapeutic measures in trauma, casualty cases, surgery, obstetric cases, pediatric diseases, malignancies and hematological cases. Blood is the most precious, unique gift that a human being can give to a fellow person. This life saving fluid can’t be created artificially. Safety of the blood is the most essential feature of any blood transfusion service. CNBB supply a total of 2,500-3,000 units of blood and blood products each month to 6 general hospitals.

Safe blood means-blood that does not contain any viruses, parasites, drugs, alcohol, chemical substances of diseases to the recipients.

Safety of the blood and blood products depends on many factors starting with the recruitment of donors and recall (at safe intervals) of voluntary non remunerated donors who have been eliminated from any risk.

Safety is ensured by providing clear conditions for blood collection, appropriate screening of donors, extensive testing, proper storage and appropriate use of transfusion. As a routine procedure, reception section checks the hemoglobin lever whether his or her is within acceptable range.

For mass donation, information about high risk life styles which are harmful to the patients are given as a talk. For individual donor, information packages are used. If he or she is not suitable as safe donors, they can withdraw theirselves for their donation. After that, medical officer do physical check and ask few questions concerning diseases and drugs history. Eligible donors register systematically for traceability. Few are rejected temporarily and few are permanently according to their conditions.

Those donors who are accepted as safe donors are recalled by mail using the forms.

What measures do your service use to ensure quality measures for viral and blood group serology tests?

Tests methods and strategies according to the guidelines of WHO and testing procedures are externally assessed and controlled by 2 international organizations

-National Reference Laboratory, Australia, participating South East Asia region and Western Pacific regions.
-WHO collaborating center-that center also control for blood group serology testing.

Optimal storage condition for whole blood, fresh frozen plasma and cryo precipitates are available and chain system is also used for transportation to the wards. Blood is a whole world in itself, each component having a specific job. Red cells transport oxygen throughout the body.

Plasma transport proteins including antibodies, clotting factors and nutrients like glucose for energy around the body.White blood cells constitute a defense mechanism against diseases. Platelet ensure that bleeding stop. Blood also carry waste products from all the organs.

By separation of separate component and using in specific diseases give cost benefit as well as ensure safety and adequacy of that precious blood. Our center separate and reinforce for using of components.

Our center uses American Association of Blood Bank guideline in administrative as well as in operational procedures.

Our global community shares a common life source ‘Blood’. The need for healthy voluntary donors is a permanent requirement. Blood is used round the clock, year and year out.

We especially express our gratitude to all voluntary donors who give their blood on regular basic thereby providing the strongest foundation for safe and sustainable blood supply-on behalf of those whose lives are saved by their blood.Those who want to donate blood can contact Central National Blood bank, Yangon General Hospital from 9-12 am and from 1 to 3:30 pm.