The World Health Organization (WHO) Representative (WR) to Sri Lanka and the WHO country team visited the National Blood Centre (NBC) of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) in Narahenpita on 04 March 2026. The visit provided an opportunity for constructive discussions with the Director of NBTS and the team on strengthening ongoing collaboration and identifying future priorities to further enhance blood safety and transfusion services in Sri Lanka.
During the meeting, the NBTS team presented an overview of the national blood transfusion system, highlighting its achievements in maintaining a 100% voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation (VNRBD) programme. NBTS plays a vital role in the country’s healthcare system by ensuring the continuous availability of safe, quality-assured blood and blood components for patients across Sri Lanka through its network of blood banks.
The discussions also focused on the importance of maintaining high standards in quality management, donor recruitment, laboratory services, and efficient distribution systems to ensure equitable access to safe blood throughout the country. The WHO team commended the efforts of NBTS in sustaining a strong national programme based entirely on voluntary blood donation and recognized its contribution to improving patient care and safety.
NBTS also holds a unique position as the only WHO Collaborating Centre within the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka. Through this role, the service contributes to regional capacity building, training, and knowledge exchange in transfusion medicine, supporting the development of high-quality blood transfusion services beyond national borders.
Looking ahead, both WHO and NBTS reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in areas such as quality assurance, workforce development, and the advancement of safe and efficient blood transfusion practices. Continued partnership between WHO and NBTS will further support Sri Lanka’s efforts to ensure equitable access to safe blood, strengthen health systems, and enhance patient safety in line with the goals of Universal Health Coverage.
