National Blood Transfusion Service – Sri Lanka

Welcome to NBTS

(National Blood Transfusion Service)

Sri Lanka

Blood or Platelet

You can donate either whole blood or just one component, "Platelet".

Am I Eligible?

Put yourself into a test and check whether you can donate blood.

Where are We?

Locate our blood banks Islandwide

This Is Your Story

You are the main character in the process of giving lives to others. So this is your story and how you feel about it.

Organizing a blood donation campaign...

We need to make sure there is the right blood available for patients throughout the year. To do this we run local and national campaigns to encourage volunteer blood donors. 85 percent of the Island wide blood need is fulfilled by mobile blood campaigns.

Upcoming Mobile
Blood Donation Campaigns

Here you can find mobile blood donation campaigns that are organized all around the Island.

We Believe In

Proper Education and Quality Knowledge

Education, Teaching and Research Unit (ETRU) of National Blood Transfusion Service is responsible to train all staff categories who are attach to Blood bank services.

You Can Get Involved

You can now join hands with us to help patients by donating Whole Blood, Apheresis Platelets and donating Stem Cells or Hosting a Blood Donation Campaign by pre-registering on our website.

Our Vision

“To be a unique for the world, securing quality assured blood services through a nationally coordinated system”

TOP OFFICIALS

Dr. Lakshman Edirisinghe

Director

TOP OFFICIALS

Dr. Senarath Jayasekara

Senior Consultant

Our Mission

“To ensure the quality, safety, adequacy and cost effectiveness of the blood supply and related laboratory, clinical, academic and research services in accordance with national requirements and WHO recommendations”

Events & News

Join Praana : Save Lives by Becoming a Stem Cell Donor

October 17, 2024The Sri Lanka Stem Cell Donor Registry (SLSCDR), initiated by the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) under the Ministry of Health, is a nationwide effort to recruit potential stem cell donors. Launched during World Blood Donor Day on July 14th, 2024, the registry has since recruited donors both online and through NBTS’s blood donation campaigns. On October 13th, 2024, SLSCDR was rebranded as Praana in collaboration with the Sri Lanka College of Transfusion Physicians and Manusath Derena to increase awareness and expand donor recruitment island-wide. This initiative provides a life-saving opportunity for patients with blood disorders and cancers in need of stem cell transplants. To learn more or to become a stem cell donor, Web : www.praana.lk Tel : +94 112 369 968 Email: slscdregistry@gmail.com Address : Sri Lanka Stem Cell Donor Registry (SLSCDR),National Blood Centre,555/5D, Elvitigala Mw, Narahenpita, Colombo 05, Sri Lanka. [...] Read more...

NBTS Redesignated as WHO CC for Blood Transfusion Services

September 10, 2024We are proud to announce that the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) Sri Lanka has been redesignated as a WHO Collaborating Centre (CC) for Blood Transfusion Services for another 3 years, starting from 7th September 2024. This recognition reaffirms the NBTS’s commitment to upholding international standards and advancing the quality, safety, and accessibility of blood transfusion services in Sri Lanka and the region. The redesignation by the World Health Organization (WHO) reflects our continuous efforts to meet the growing healthcare needs of the community, while fostering global collaboration to ensure safe blood transfusion practices. We look forward to further strengthening our capabilities and expanding our role in supporting countries across the region. The NBTS has played a pivotal role as a WHO Collaborating Centre since its initial designation, contributing significantly to the development of sustainable blood transfusion systems and best practices. This new phase of our collaboration will focus on enhancing blood safety, promoting voluntary blood donation, and improving blood service infrastructures. [...] Read more...

NBTS Sri Lanka Receives AABB Quality Certificate

August 30, 2024We are proud to announce that the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) Sri Lanka has successfully been awarded the prestigious AABB Quality Certificate, effective from August 2024 to August 2026. This certification is a testament to NBTS’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in blood transfusion services, ensuring the safety and quality of blood and blood products provided to the public. The AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies) certification represents international recognition of our adherence to stringent quality management protocols in the field of transfusion medicine. It acknowledges the dedication of our staff and the continued efforts to meet global standards, promoting patient safety and improving transfusion outcomes. Receiving the AABB Quality Certificate strengthens NBTS’s role as a leader in transfusion medicine, not only in Sri Lanka but also in the South-East Asia region. This achievement reflects our continuous drive toward excellence and innovation, ensuring the highest quality in every step of blood collection, processing, testing, and distribution. The NBTS remains committed to further advancing its services, contributing to the safety and well-being of patients while aligning with global healthcare standards. We extend our gratitude to all stakeholders who have supported us in this journey, and we look forward to continuing our service with unwavering dedication. [...] Read more...

World Blood Donor Day 2024

July 16, 2024The WHO World Blood Donor Day campaign theme for 2024 is “20 Years of Celebrating Giving, Thank You Blood Donors!”. The campaign theme of NBTS Sri Lanka for this year’s World Blood Donor Day is, “Walk in to save lives”, with the aim of increasing the in-house donations, improving safety of blood donors and quality of blood & blood products. The idea is to focus on the contribution an individual donor can make to improve health for others in the community. Blood donations are needed all over the world to ensure individuals and communities have access to safe and quality-assured blood and blood products in both normal and emergency situations. Through the campaign, we call on more people all over the country to become life-savers by volunteering to donate blood regularly at blood banks. NBTS has planned the following to meet the Global objectives as declared by the WHO. National Event Held at Nelum Pokuna Theatre – June 14th 2024 The national event for the World Bood Donor day was held with the patronage of Hon Speaker of the parliament Mr. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Hon Minister of Health Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Hon State Minister of Health Dr. Seetha Arambepola and several other key ministerial dignitaries. One thousand (1000) donors and donation campaign organizers representing all cluster centers throughout the country, were felicitated on that day. The main purpose of the event was to officially initiate the Sri Lanka Bone Marrow Transplantation Registry as well as to launch the “Raktha” mobile application for Donors. A special award was presented to the artist who designed a unique poster for the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) in 1992. This poster has been utilized for over 30 years to raise public awareness about mobile blood drives. All participants were granted a souvenir, certificate, and plaque. A memorable photograph was also provided to each participant. Media Campaign In conjunction with World Blood Donor Day 2024, the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) conducted a media campaign, including a press conference at the National Blood Center. All electronic and print media contributed to the awareness program by allocating time slots from their valuable broadcast schedules. We have developed two short videos aimed at raising public awareness about the importance of voluntary blood donation and stem cell donation. Educational Program for School Children School children are potential future donors. Through education and proper guidance, we can make them voluntary, regular blood donors upon completion of 18 years of age. NBTS has planned educational programs in schools throughout the country by means of lectures, discussions, dramas and booklets. Donor Felicitation In addition to the One thousand (1000) donors felicitated during the National Event, four thousand (4000) voluntary blood donors will be felicitated across the country at the Cluster Centers. Especially those who contributed to maintain the blood supply during the year 2023. Organizer Awareness Program 85% of the blood collection is done via mobile blood donation campaigns. Around five thousand (5000) campaigns are done annually. NBTS has planned to raise the awareness among the Organizers throughout the country and it will be done once a month prior to their respective mobile campaigns. Donor Care Program It is vital to be in good health to become a regular blood donor. NBTS initiated a program to screen the blood donors for non-communicable diseases few years back. Staff Training To maintain a quality and an equitable service it is necessary to have a well-trained staff. They should be assessed periodically and retrained if required. This has been one from the onset of NBTS and it will be continued in the years to come. We have planned to organize twenty (20) training sessions for staff members of all blood banks in the country. Hospital Transfusion Committee Meetings (HTC meetings) It is vital to hold HTC meetings in Hospital blood banks to maintain a good understanding and a good communication between the wards and the blood bank. It helps to provide a better and a quality service to patients in need of blood and blood products. NBTS is planning to hold 100 HTC meetings to cover all the peripheral hospital blood banks during the coming year 2024/2025. [...] Read more...

NBTS Sri Lanka Achieves SLAB ISO 15189:2022 Accreditation in Haematology and Immunohaematology

July 6, 2024We are pleased to announce that the National Blood Centre (NBC), National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), Sri Lanka has been awarded the ISO 15189:2022 accreditation by the Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB), effective from 21st June 2024 to 20th June 2028. This certification covers the fields of Haematology and Immunohaematology, highlighting NBTS’s unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality diagnostic services and maintaining internationally recognized standards in laboratory practices. The ISO 15189:2022 accreditation specifies requirements for quality and competence in medical laboratories, ensuring that NBTS adheres to the highest standards in blood testing, blood product safety, and overall quality management. Achieving this prestigious accreditation further strengthens our capacity to provide safe, reliable, and accurate blood transfusion services to the public, reinforcing our commitment to patient safety and quality in all aspects of our operations. This milestone follows NBTS’s dedication to continuous improvement, ensuring that our practices meet global standards while supporting healthcare institutions across Sri Lanka. It is a significant step toward enhancing our national healthcare system, enabling the delivery of high-quality diagnostic and transfusion services. We thank our dedicated staff and all stakeholders who have contributed to achieving this important accreditation, and we look forward to continuing our mission of saving lives through quality-assured blood transfusion services. [...] Read more...

Consultative Workshop Organized for Maldivian Blood Service Team

June 15, 2023WHO supported the participation of four members representing National Blood Council Maldives in a study tour on National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS) in Sri Lanka. The study tour provided an opportunity for participants to observe and understand how the National Blood Transfusion Service is established. Also how we achieved exclusive 100% voluntary blood donations. This visit provided a platform for the experts of the two countries to share experiences as Maldives plans to establish a nationally coordinated blood transfusion service in the near future. The NBTS is designated as a WHO Collaborating Center for Blood Transfusion Services. During the study tour, participants were able to learn more about the system for voluntary blood donor recruitment, retention and how safe blood and blood products were provided across the country. The participants were also able to gain knowledge on how Patient Blood Management (PBM) is established, donor data management process, blood component preparation etc. Moreover, the Maldives team were able to present on the country situation including a detailed gap analysis of blood transfusion services in the Maldives. The Sri Lankan National Blood Transfusion Service delivered presentations on blood storage, cold chain maintenance and transport, mobile blood donation campaigns, voluntary blood donations, donor requirements and retention, quality assurance, monitoring etc. The Sri Lanka team also accommodated tours and field visits for the Maldives team to National Blood Center, Hospital Blood Banks and Mobile Blood Donation Camps. [...] Read more...

Transmed Project – Kick-off Meeting

March 24, 2023Kick-off meeting of the Transmed Project held in National Blood Centre at Narahenpita from 20/03/2023 to 22/03/2023. Members from all consortium organizations participated in this meeting. The inaugural session of Kick-off meeting at National Blood Transfusion Service – Sri Lanka commenced with the lighting of the Ceremonial Lamp by the consortium members. Mr. S. Janaka Sri Chandraguptha, Secretary, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. During the kick-off meeting all the partners Refocus, Reshape and Redefine their roles and goals in the implementation of the TRANSMED project. [...] Read more...

Sri Lanka Stem Cell Donor Registry

Join with Us

The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), under the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, is a centrally coordinated system. It serves as the sole provider of blood and blood products to all government hospitals and most private hospitals. Headquartered at the National Blood Centre (NBC) in Colombo, NBTS operates more than 108 blood banks island-wide.

Welcome to NBTS