Sanquin Blood Bank region Nordeast, 
Groningen, the Netherlands


Background

The Division Blood Bank Noordoost Nederland has been actively involved the development of viral screening and in particular in the implementation of routine nucleic acid testing (NAT) in the Netherlands.

The Blood Bank has been actively functioning as a teaching and training center focused on developing countries. Since 1993 the Blood Bank serves WHO as a Collaborating Center for Blood Transfusion as well as the WFH as an International Hemophilia Training Center for blood bank technology and blood procurement.

The WHO Collaborating Center is now developed into an Academic Institute for International Development of Transfusion Medicine (University of Groningen) and serves as the nucleus center for the development of the WHO Quality Management Program in the Europe Region (51 countries).

The Blood Bank is closely related to the national reference center Sanquin Division CLB Diagnostics in Amsterdam.


Terms of Reference

The Sanquin Division Blood Bank Noordoost Nederland and WHO Collaborating Center for Blood Transfusion will support training programs in transfusion medicine (vein to vein) focused on blood safety, rational clinical use and reference functions as well as on structure and organisation of blood supply systems and the development and implementation of quality systems and management in blood transfusion.

The Blood Bank will actively contribute to the development of teaching and training curricula and didactic materials in transfusion medicine.

The Academic Institute for International Development of Transfusion Medicine (Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Groningen and the WHO Department of Blood Safety and Clinical Technology) in Groningen will provide an academic environment for the development of safe and sustainable blood supply systems through training courses and consultations, tailor made to the needs expressed.


Date of Designation:  September 24, 2001