Academy
PCHTM holds 6th annual convention: “Bridging global guidelines to local practice”
Marielle Lois Manuel
Philippine College of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Quezon City, Philippines
The Philippine College of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (PCHTM) successfully held its 6th Annual Convention on September 2025 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Manila. With the theme “Bridging Global Guidelines to Local Practice,” the convention emphasized the importance of aligning international standards with the realities of Philippine clinical practice.
Supported in part by a generous ISBT Academy Grant, the event highlighted the essentials of transfusion medicine and featured international experts in blood banking and transfusion medicine. The congress drew an impressive 249 participants from across the country, including internists, hematologists, and allied healthcare professionals.
Day 1 – September 7, 2025: BTCA Workshop
The convention opened with the Blood Transfusion and Chemotherapy Administration (BTCA) workshop, an annual initiative designed primarily for nurses. The BTCA aims to enhance clinical competencies in blood transfusion procedures and the administration of (chemo)therapeutic agents, including biologics and cellular therapies. The day began with sessions on the fundamentals of blood administration, followed by lectures on the general principles of chemoimmunotherapy, intravenous access and management of extravasation, and the therapeutic applications of apheresis.
A highlight of the workshop was the lecture delivered by Idaleswati Nor Mohamed from the Pusat Darah Negara (National Blood Center) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She shared valuable clinical insights on the bedside identification and management of transfusion reactions, drawing on her extensive experience in transfusion safety and hemovigilance.
The BTCA concluded with a hands-on skills training session focusing on intravenous access devices, chemotherapy administration, and transfusion equipment, including leukocyte filters—allowing participants to apply what they learned in a practical, interactive setting.
Gerrou Gasendo and Idaleswati Nor Mohamed (center) receiving their plaques of appreciation as speakers during the BTCA Workshop.
Idaleswati Nor Mohamed representing the Malaysian National Blood Center delivering the keynote speech.
Satoshi Yasumura (center) from Japan as the reactor to the thematic debate between Tanchanco (left) and Villanueva (right).
Day 2 – September 8, 2025: Transfusion Series and International Collaboration
The second day of the convention featured the Transfusion Series, headlined by a keynote address from Idaleswati Nor Mohamed titled “Hemovigilance in Asia: The Malaysian Perspective.” She discussed the successful establishment and implementation of Malaysia’s national hemovigilance system, providing valuable lessons for the Philippines, where a similar national framework has yet to be developed.
A thematic debate followed, tackling the timely topic of transfusion strategies. Rosalyn Valerie Villanueva argued in favor of personalized transfusion, emphasizing patient-specific decision-making, while Camille Ariadne Tanchanco advocated for restrictive transfusion approaches based on evidence-driven thresholds. The debate was moderated by Satoshi Yasumura of Toyama University Hospital, who served as reactor and provided international context. The session was also livestreamed via the official Facebook pages of the country’s Internal Medicine and Hematology societies, expanding the discussion to a wider audience
.Professor Yasumura later delivered a lecture on the clinical use of albumin, highlighting current evidence and best practices based on the Japanese Society of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy guidelines. Given the Philippines’ reliance on imported albumin products and the absence of local plasma fractionation facilities, his talk resonated deeply with attendees.
Adding to the global perspective, Lacey Johnson from the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood shared practical insights on optimizing platelet supply, focusing on storage, inventory strategies, and minimizing wastage — key issues for Philippine transfusion services.
Bridging global expertise with local practice
The 6th Annual PCHTM Convention successfully embodied its theme by fostering international collaboration and translating global transfusion and hematology standards into actionable local strategies. Through the support of the ISBT Academy and the dedication of local and international experts, the event advanced the PCHTM’s mission to elevate transfusion medicine practice in the Philippines.
Professor Yasumura sharing his expertise on the clinical use of albumin.
Lacey Johnson of the Australian Red Cross explaining the intricacies of platelet supply.
The Philippine College of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine celebrating the night with foreign speakers.
