Academy
Pre-congress of WAA workshop in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
The 18th World Apheresis Association (WAA) Congress took place in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in September 2024 and attracted a total of 333 participants. Of these, 175 attended in person, while 158 joined virtually, along with 25 and 40 participants, respectively, in the specialized workshops on pediatric apheresis and immunohematology.
This was the first WAA congress held in both Indonesia and Southeast Asia, organized in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing at Universitas Gadjah Mada, a leading Indonesian medical institution. The congress was also supported by organizations including the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT), the Laskar Apheresis Berbagi Foundation (WAA’s Indonesian representative), the Indonesian Red Cross, the Indonesian Society of Blood Transfusion Physicians, and PDS Patklin Yogyakarta (Figure 1).
Figure 1
Opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Hans Vrielink, WAA President, who highlighted the organization’s expansion beyond high-income countries to regions like Indonesia. Dr. Teguh, the congress's local committee chair, spoke on the growing significance of apheresis in Indonesia, emphasizing its application in treating conditions such as autoimmune diseases, hematologic disorders, and as part of cancer therapies. A Ministry of Health representative was also present, addressing equipment storage policies and healthcare distribution strategies in Indonesia.(Figure 2 and 3).
Figure 2 and 3
Workshops The congress commenced on September 9-10, 2024, with workshops focused on "Apheresis in Pediatrics" and "Immunohematology." The pediatric apheresis workshop, held at the Royal Ambarukmo Hotel, provided four hours of hands-on training and addressed the unique needs of pediatric patients undergoing apheresis. Christine Fernandez and Volker Witt chaired the workshop, where Witt discussed how age affects metabolism, electrolyte balance, and the hemostatic system in children. Satyam Arora followed with a presentation on the challenges of venous access in young patients, focusing on effective techniques and vein selection.
Fernandez then discussed critical considerations, such as obtaining consent, parental involvement, sedation, distraction techniques, and managing complications. Jennifer Schneiderman outlined methods for adapting adult-designed apheresis machines for pediatric patients, with additional insights from Hans Vrielink. This workshop aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of pediatric apheresis complexities and best practices (Figure 4 and 5).
Figure 4 and 5
Apheresis has been practiced for patient care in the Western world for decades, but it remains a relatively new technique in developing nations like Indonesia, where it was first introduced in 2002 for plasma and platelet collection from donors. Since then, apheresis has expanded in Indonesia to include therapeutic applications, especially in hematology and neurology, with support from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, which emphasizes enhancing blood transfusion safety and quality. Currently, therapeutic apheresis procedures, such as leukocytapheresis, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), and thrombocyte apheresis, are offered, primarily in Indonesia’s teaching hospitals.
The immunohematology workshop, led by Marga Sundermeijer and Usi Sukorini, included presentations and hands-on laboratory sessions on blood antigen and antibody testing, essential skills for ensuring safe blood transfusions and compatibility. Key areas covered included antigen determination, antibody screening, and cross-matching, equipping participants with valuable practical knowledge for blood transfusion services (Figure 7).
Figure 6
Scientific Programme
The congress featured a robust scientific program that included a variety of sessions and discussions on foundational and advanced apheresis topics, from hemoglobinopathies to the latest developments in CAR-T cell therapy and gene therapy. A prominent session was led by Jennifer Schneiderman from the USA on “Evolution of Gene Therapy in Hemoglobinopathies and the Difficulties to Achieve the Correct Cell,” which covered recent advancements and the challenges in achieving therapeutic outcomes. Other experts, including Hans Vrielink and Nicole Aqui, discussed CAR-T cell therapy and its applications in treating cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. A session by Kaatje le Poole from the Netherlands focused on the therapeutic role of apheresis in neurology, offering participants insights into neurological applications (Figure 7).
Four residents from the Department of Clinical Pathology at Universitas Gadjah Mada, dr. Cut Regia Heldayana, dr. Dicha Fitra Rafinda, dr. Febianti Rukmana, and dr. Gustav Valentino, were directly mentored by dr. Vrielink and dr. Teguh Triyono to present on Basic Apheresis. Their participation underscored a significant effort to cultivate expertise in apheresis among students and emerging professionals in Indonesia (Figure 8).
Figure 7 and 8
Poster Exhibition & Oral Presentation
The congress also included a poster exhibition and oral presentation competition, with 21 participants from various countries sharing their research on apheresis. The oral presentation competition, held between sessions, provided a platform for professionals to discuss their work and regional practices in apheresis. Dr. Yama Sirly Putri, a resident from Universitas Gadjah Mada, won first place for her oral presentation, while Rd. Takuya Ueno from Japan received the award for best poster presentation, reflecting the high quality of research presented (Figure 9 and 10).
Figure 9 and 10
Additionally, a technology exhibition featured innovative tools and solutions for apheresis from global companies such as Terumo BCT and Sysmex. This event provided participants with access to cutting-edge equipment and resources relevant to apheresis practices (Figure 11 and 12). The congress concluded with a gala dinner at Prambanan Temple, where attendees, including speakers and registered participants, enjoyed a traditional meal while taking in the nighttime scenery of the ancient temple. The evening ended with a performance of the Indonesian Ramayana dance, highlighting the cultural richness of the congress’s host location (Figure 13).
Figure 11, 12, and 13
Awards A key moment of the congress was the presentation of the 2024 Apheresis Award to Prof. Bob Weinstein, a distinguished expert in transfusion and apheresis medicine from UMass Chan Medical School. As Division Chair of Transfusion Medicine and Medical Director of Blood Bank and Transfusion Services, Prof. Weinstein has focused on therapeutic apheresis and transfusion safety. His recognition was accompanied by a lecture sharing his latest findings in the field (Figure 14). Impact and Future Prospects The congress not only highlighted the latest technological advances and research but also motivated attendees to advance apheresis practices worldwide. The event is anticipated to drive the development of apheresis in Indonesia and encourage international cooperation, focusing on making apheresis more accessible and affordable. As participants left Yogyakarta, they carried with them inspiration and new knowledge, with plans to implement insights from the congress in their respective regions. The city served as a temporary hub of global collaboration, setting the stage for further progress and innovation in apheresis.
Figure 14
