The Asia Pacific region is large (covering approximately 22% of the global land area), spans the Pacific Rim from China to New Zealand, and presents quite varied populations and economic development.
Within this region, five Indian Ocean Rim Association countries are represented.
While vast, the region encompasses close-knit communities of practice within the blood sector, ranging from transfusion speciality groups through to networks of blood operators such as the Asia Pacific Blood Network (APBN), and the Global Advisory Panel (GAP).
APBN provides strategic leadership for to blood services, and a forum to exchange ideas, insights and operational practice. APBN supports members to prepare for demographic changes in their respective countries, and anticipated impact to clinical practice and encourages insights regarding how to leverage new technology to improve performance, donor care, and meet changing clinical needs.
While a global network, GAP offers specific expertise in risk management and corporate governance of blood programmes for Red Cross and Red Crescent Blood Services within the region via its Asia Pacific Zone program. In addition to providing technical advice, GAP also provides Voluntary Non-remunerated Blood Donation (VNRBD) advocacy, workshops, tools and resources for blood services to adapt for local application. GAP also provides coordination to affected Red Cross/Red Crescent blood services after disasters, which can include targeted assistance, technical training and capacity building.
The Australian Red Cross Blood Service is closely associated with both networks and benefits through best practice sharing, and the ability to identify and rapidly respond to emerging infectious diseases. As with the other Red Cross/Red Crescent blood services in the region, ARCBS also participates in providing support to colleagues through the GAP network.
An overview of blood services in the Asia Pacific region, examples of best practice exchange and support in times of disaster will be provided.