Academy
XXIII Chilean Congress of Hematology and XIII Congress of Transfusion
The XXIII Chilean Congress of Hematology and XIII Congress of Transfusion Medicine was celebrated from the 18th to 21st of October 2023, in the city of Coquimbo, located in the third region of Chile, organized by the Chilean Society of Hematology (SOCHIHEM) and the Chilean Chapter of Transfusion Medicine (CCHMT). This event aims to disseminate scientific knowledge in the areas of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine among professionals in the country and surrounding countries.
For the first time, the event was sponsored by the International Society of Blood Tranfusion (ISBT), which allowed financing the participation of two exhibitors from Colombia and the USA.
Topics on immunohematology, management of blood services, production of hemocomponents, promotion of blood donation and blood donors were lectured.
Lilian Maria de Castilho giving a lecture
The Immunohematology topics were in a lecture by Dr. Lilian Castilho (Brazil), who presented conferences on the trajectory of erythrocyte immunohematology and its current status; and strategies for the identification and confirmation of rare donors and the international experience of the ISBT WP on Rare Donors. Dr. Armando Cortés of Colombia exposed on the management for the rational use of blood transfusion and transfusion safety. In addition, Dr. Jose Quesada, director of the Texas Blood Center, USA, presented on the lessons for blood transfusions learned during the war; and the results obtained in the use of whole blood in transfusion and the storage of platelets at 4°C.
A full day was reserved for topics on the promotion of blood donation, quality of care and selection of blood donors; the lectures were given by Ana Lucia Cabezas (Colombia) and Dr. Silvina Kuperman (Argentina). Ms. Ana Lucia Cabezas conducted workshops on motivational strategies for blood donation promoters and memorable care to generate meaningful experiences for blood donor loyalty; while Dr. Kuperman spoke on donor anemia: how to deal with it, the formation of community promoter networks to support the promotion and loyalty of donors, and quality indicators in the donation unit.
From left to right: María Antonieta Núñez Director CCHMT; Lic. Ana Lucía Cabezas, Dr. Silvina Kuperman, Dr. José Quesada Congress presenters, and Edgardo Saa Director CCHMT.
The meeting also included scientific work presented by professionals from blood services and universities from different regions of the country. Scientific symposiums organized by the industry were also held, including a presentation by Dr. José Levi (Brazil), who spoke on the detection of malaria in blood donors, an emerging problem in Chile due to immigration.
The event was attended by 301 professionals, including physicians, medical technologists, nurses, pharmaceutical chemists and biochemists from different cities of Chile and other countries such as Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay, among others.
Group photo
The Chilean Congress of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine held every two years in different cities of Chile, has a very important role in the training of professionals in both specialties.
The directors of the SOCHIHEM and CCHMT are very grateful for the support provided by the ISBT that helped to carry out this educational event.
