The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) successfully conducted a one-hour online webinar on Quality Management Systems (QMS), led by Dr. Namal Bandara. Delivered bilingually in both Sinhala and English, the session aimed to build foundational knowledge on QMS practices among blood bank staff as part of NBTS’s long-term strategy to achieve Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) accreditation.
A total of 185 participants joined the session, representing a diverse cross-section of healthcare professionals: Clinical Transfusion Practitioners (11), Medical Officers (109), Nursing Officers (39), Medical Laboratory Technologists (22), Junior Staff (3), and a Public Health Inspector (1).
The webinar provided an overview of the essential components of a QMS specifically tailored for blood bank operations. Dr. Bandara highlighted the importance of implementing QMS to ensure the safety, reliability, and quality of blood and blood products. Key topics included Quality System Essentials (QSEs), regulatory compliance, effective documentation and record-keeping, internal audits, and the importance of continuous improvement.
Participants were also introduced to the structural elements of a QMS, such as quality policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and clearly defined staff responsibilities at various operational levels.
The online program was accredited by the Education, Training and Research Unit (ETRU) of the Ministry of Health and provided Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points for participants, further emphasizing its value and recognition within the healthcare sector.
This educational initiative marks a significant step forward in enhancing quality standards and aligning blood transfusion services with international best practices.