Cyprus acquires the first comprehensive National Blood Strategy, with the aim of ensuring the adequacy, safety, quality and sustainable management of blood, one of the most important and irreplaceable resources of the health system.
The official presentation and delivery of the Strategy to the Minister of Health, Neophytos Charalambides, will take place on June 13, in the context of a special workshop in Nicosia, one day before World Blood Donor Day.
The National Committee for Thalassaemia and Other Hemoglobinopathies (EETHLA) states in its announcement that the new Strategy aspires to create a modern, coordinated and resilient framework for the country's blood system, utilizing the experience and good practices that have been developed over time in Cyprus in the field of voluntary blood donation and transfusion therapy.
As he states, Cyprus is among the countries that have achieved high levels of blood collection and safety, thanks to the contribution of volunteer blood donors, the Blood Center, Blood Banks and health professionals, as well as the long-term support of the State.
The Strategy, he notes, was developed following the instructions of the Minister of Health, in the context of the work of the National Blood Donation Council, through a multi-month process of consultation and cooperation with more than 100 stakeholders and organizations.
The coordination and scientific supervision of the process was carried out by the President of the National Committee for Thalassemia and Other Hemoglobinopathies, Dr. Androulla Eleftheriou, who described the Strategy as "a collective achievement and at the same time a national responsibility".
"It reflects the knowledge, experience and suggestions of dozens of institutions and professionals, with the common goal of ensuring that Cyprus will have a safe, adequate, quality, transparent and durable blood system," he said.
He added that "blood is not just a resource of the health system", but noted "it is life, it is social solidarity, it is the practical proof that one person can stand by another, even without knowing him".
According to the announcement, the five-year Strategy focuses, among other things, on strengthening blood donation, improving blood management and utilization, upgrading blood services, hemovigilance, quality and supervision, as well as promoting innovation, research and digitalization.
In addition, the Commission refers to the alignment of Cyprus with the new European requirements stemming from the framework for Substances of Human Origin (SoHO), with the aim of further enhancing the safety and trust of citizens in the blood system.
During the workshop, the main axes and priorities of the Strategy will be presented, followed by its official delivery to the Minister of Health.
The event will be addressed by, among others, the Minister of Health, the Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Cyprus, Panagiotis Pourgourides, and the President of the Pancyprian Medical Association, Dr. Petros Agathangelou.
