Introduction
The Education, Training, and Research Unit (ETRU) of the National Blood Center (NBC) plays a crucial role in enhancing the knowledge, skills, and professional competencies of blood bank personnel across the country. Committed to upholding high standards in transfusion medicine, the ETRU facilitates continuous professional development, in-service training, and research initiatives that contribute to the overall improvement of blood transfusion services.
Staff
Consultant Transfusion Physician In Charge –  Dr Jeewaka GalhenageÂ
Medical Officer in charge                  – Dr S. D. SenanayakeÂ
Medical Officer                          –  Dr Shanaz ShakoorÂ
In service training
The ETRU of the National Blood Centre is involved in Inservice training of Blood Bank staff. Â This centralized training ensures that all staff have uniform training in blood bank procedures according to nationally approved Standardized Operating Procedures (SOPS). The training program consists of lectures by qualified staff (Consultant Transfusion Physicians /MD trainees in Transfusion Medicine/ diploma trainees in Transfusion Medicine), practical hands-on sessions, bench training in specialized labs and supervised participation in blood donation drives.
These training sessions are tailored to different categories of blood bank professionals, including medical officers, nursing officers, medical laboratory technologists, public health inspectors, and health assistants ensuring that they meet national standards.
CME
Recognizing the dynamic nature of transfusion medicine, the ETRU organizes Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs designed for healthcare professionals involved in blood transfusion services.
The ETRU of NBTS have regular CME programs arranged at the National Blood Center and at regional cluster centers. These programs offer an opportunity for knowledge sharing and professional networking, ensuring that blood transfusion services align with the latest clinical and laboratory practices.
NBC Orientation Programs for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students
ETRU actively collaborates with national medical and healthcare institutions to conduct orientation programs for undergraduate and postgraduate students in relation to transfusion medicine. These programs aim to:
- Introduce students to the core functions of NBC and the national blood transfusion service
- Familiarize them with blood donation processes, donor recruitment strategies, and donor care
- Provide hands-on exposure to blood screening, immunohematology, and cross-matching procedures
Students from state universities participate in blood bank appointments at the National Blood Center. Medical students from the University of Colombo, University of Moratuwa, and Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) from Sri Jayewardenepura University, John Kotelawala Defence University, Open University of Colombo, and Peradeniya University are allocated to ETRU for their blood bank teaching appointments.
Additionally, one-day visits are arranged on request to the National Blood Center for officers from the Navy and Army, as well as students attached to Public Health Inspector (PHI) and nursing schools, to observe operations at an ISO-accredited government center.
Postgraduate students from the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM), Colombo, take part in short appointments at the National Immunohematology Reference Laboratory and the National Histocompatibility Reference Laboratory.
As a WHO Collaborating Centre, the National Blood Center also welcomes trainees from the South-East Asia Region (SEARO) who are engaged in the field of transfusion medicine, providing them with specialized training and exposure to international best practices.
Commitment to Excellence in Transfusion Medicine
The Education, Training, and Research Unit (ETRU) of NBC remains dedicated to strengthening transfusion medicine services through high-quality training, research, and continuous professional development. By equipping healthcare professionals with required knowledge and skills in relation to transfusion medicine, the ETRU plays a vital role in ensuring the safety, efficacy, and sustainability of the national blood transfusion service.
For more information about upcoming training sessions, or registration for CME programs, please contact the ETRU -National Blood Center.
Contact Us
Address : ETRU, National Blood Center, No.555/5D, Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 05, Sri Lanka.
Tel : +94 112 369 931 / Ext – 287
Fax : +94 112 369 937 / +94 112 369 939
Email : moic.etrunbc@gmail.com