Health Information Unit

The Health Information Unit (HIU) is a dedicated unit established under the Director of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS). The main unit is located at the National Blood Centre (NBC) in Narahenpita. The primary functions of the unit include,

• Developing, introducing, and maintaining health information systems (HIS) used across NBTS.
• Providing technical support and guidance for users of these HISs, including troubleshooting assistance.
• Offering technical guidance related to IT for other units within NBTS.
• Providing technical support and guidance in the procurement of IT-related hardware and software.
• Troubleshooting and repairing IT hardware and network-related issues.
• Teaching and training information systems users about the HIS used in NBTS.

Main Health Information Systems Used in NBTS

Blood Bank Management System(BBMS)

 The BBMS was developed from the ground up to comprehensively address the requirements of the NBTS. It was developed and donated to NBTS by Dr. Pushpike De Silva, who continues to regularly upgrade the system according to NBTS needs and assist in troubleshooting. The inception of BBMS dates back to 2016, during which it underwent local testing within a few blood banks under the direct supervision of NBTS authorities. In May 2020, the system was successfully deployed across the entire NBTS. Currently, BBMS handles more than 450,000 donations per year and is involved in the entire blood donation process, from collecting blood to issuing it to patients.

Monthly Statistics Reporting System

This system, based on DHIS2, collects comprehensive monthly statistics reports from all the blood banks under the NBTS. The data from this system is used in preparing the annual statistics report.

Weekly Haemovigilance Report

Also developed based on DHIS2, this system replaced the old paper-based weekly haemovigilance reporting system. All blood banks under the NBTS send weekly reports through the system.

Daily Stock Monitoring System

A web-based system used to collect daily stock, issues, and discards from all blood banks. These data are analyzed during weekly stock management meetings, and necessary steps are taken to reduce blood discards and effectively manage available stocks according to demand.

SWASTHA System

Introduced by the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, this inventory management system for pharmaceutical items is used in all blood banks within the NBTS for issuing, receiving, and stock management of pharmaceutical items.

Transfusion-Related Adverse Events Reporting System

This system is used to report individual adverse events that occur during transfusion. All blood banks in the NBTS must submit adverse and near-miss events through this system to the Haemovigilance Unit at NBC.

Raktha App

Raktha is an online appointment system newly introduced by NBTS, allowing blood donors to book a date and time prior to coming to a blood bank for donation. Donors can book appointments by downloading the Raktha app from Google Playstore, visiting the official Raktha website at https://raktha.nbts.health.gov.lk/welcome, or calling the nearest blood bank with in-house donation facilities.