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Press Release1 September 2006
Professionals from around the world involved in Blood Transfusion, will attend the first International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) Congress to be held on African soil, in Cape Town from September 2 to 9. ISBT is an international scientific organsisation (founded in 1935) that brings together professionals involved in Blood Transfuion (BTS) and related disciplines from more than 85 countries. Its head office is in Amsterdam and the current president is Dr. Francine Decary, from HemaQuebec, Canada. The bid to bring ISBT to South Africa was made by the South African Blood Alliance, an organisation formed by members of the Western Province Blood Transfusion Service (WPBTS), SA National Blood Service (SANBS) and the African Society of Blood Transfusion (AFSBT). The bid was won in 2002 when the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) was under construction, a major factor in the successful bid for the Congress. Besides being an interesting conference venue, Cape Town and South Africa was chosen for a nunber of other reasons. Currently there are many interesting scientific developments in our country, such as the large scale implementation of single-donor- NAT-testing. This project, based on DNA-technology is currently one of the largest of its kind in the world, and should kindle international research interest. The scientific programme holds a topic of interest for all. Subjects which are covered include blood safety (with special emphasis on HIV and CJD), donor management, paediatric blood usage, evidence-based clinical transfusion practice, stem cell research, quality management, ethical issues and BTS practice within resource-limited countries. Selected papers will also touch on developing technology, such as the modification of blood groups to universal donor group O and the review of progress in developing blood substitutes. As such, the Congress promises to give a broad overview of the new frontiers of transfusion medicine. The Conference will be attended by a large number of overseas delegates and many representatives from African countries. In addition to all the technological advances that will be highlighted, one should bear in mind that some countries barely have adequate resources for the basics of blood transfusion practice. In this light ISBT has included an educational session to discuss issues and challenges facing BTS worldwide. ISBT is sponsoring 28 delegates from 9 countries worldwide and AFBST is also providing full sponsorship to 6 African delegates to attend the Congress. In addition local BTS services have an unique opportunity to send their staff to an international Congress, with a total of 130 local south African BTS employees expected to attend. According to Mr Dird Elzinga (Managing Director of CTICC) the increasing numbers of delegates and visitors to conventions at the CTICC, such as the ISBT, resulted in a contribution of almost R1.3bn to national GDP in 2005 and R467.5m to Western Cape GGP. It also makes a significant contribution to both direct and indirect job creation in the Western Cape. The organisers expect a good attendance of approximately 2 000 guests. "This is an excellent figure compared to previous congresses and considering the long-distance travel involved," says Graham Thurtell, ISBT Board Member for Africa and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee. For more information on the Congress, please visit ISBT-web.org/capetown.
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