Academy
Advanced immunohematology skills wet workshop
Immunohematology plays a central role in transfusion medicine because it helps ensure that blood transfusions are safe, compatible, and effective.
In Kenya, immunohematology testing in most of the hospitals revolves around ABO, Rhesus typing and cross matching. In order to upgrade blood safety there is need to transition from basic to comprehensive compatibility testing, continuously educate as well as strengthen capacity in advanced, specialized immunohematology techniques in the transfusion practitioners in our region. In an effort to achieve this, the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Medical School, Mount Kenya University successfully hosted the Advanced Immunohematology Skills Wet Workshop from 28th – 29th April 2026 at the Mwai Kibaki Convention Center, Mount Kenya University. As one of the leading training institution in Kenya for postgraduate programmes in transfusion science, we feel honored to have received funding for an educational activity from ISBT academy.
This two-day workshop was a hybrid one which included both face-to-face and virtual attendance. The face-to-face workshop brought together 48 delegates from five counties in Kenya (Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Nyeri, Muranga, Nairobi and Kiambu County), from 18 hospitals, representatives from the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service, two regional blood transfusion centers and hematologists from four Kenyan Universities, both public and private. The virtual component attracted more than 176 participants from all the 47 Counties of Kenya. The participants included medical laboratory scientists, hematologists/transfusion science specialists, Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS) personnel, clinicians, researchers and medical laboratory sciences students.
Group practicals: Ruwayda Soeker takes participants through antibody titration
The workshop was held under the theme “Advancing Excellence in Immunohematology for Safer Transfusion Practice.” The workshop aimed at strengthening participants’ theoretical understanding and practical competencies in immunohematology and transfusion safety. The topics covered included, ABO and Rhesus discrepancies and their resolutions, unexpected red cell antibody screening and identification, transfusion reactions, hemovigilance, laboratory investigation of transfusion reactions, investigation of a positive DAT sample and antibody titration. The sessions consisted of keynote remarks, lectures, hands-on laboratory practicals, panel discussion, question-and-answer sessions, and practical cases discussions. The two-day workshop ran from 7. 30 a.m to 5.30 p.m each day with two moderators for each day. A pre-workshop evaluation was given on day one so as to gauge the participant’s knowledge on various topics. At the end of the training, the post-workshop evaluation was given so as to collect feedback from the delegates and identify areas for improvement. This workshop featured international speakers, Mrs. Ruwayda Soeker, Manager Immunohematology Laboratory, Western Cape Blood Services (WCBS), South Africa. Additionally, four local Kenyan speakers were also involved including Dr. Rachel Githiomi, Research Scientist, MOH and former Head, Technical Research and Development at KNBTS; Dr. Esther Mandania, lecturer of Hematology & Transfusion Science, Mount Kenya University; Ronald Nyarambe Wigina, Chair Of Department, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Technical University Of Mombasa; and Mr. Reuben Tulel, Head, Monitoring & Evaluation, Division Of KNBTS of the Kenya Blood Transfusion And Transplant Service (KBTTS).
Reuben Tulel of KBITS on immunohematology practice in Kenya
Ruwayda Soeker on antibody screening and identification
Day one started with the welcome address from the Head of Department, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Dr. Stanley Waithaka. Remarks were subsequently made by the Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic Affairs, Dr. Mercyline Kamande, followed by the Vice Chancellor of Mount Kenya University, Professor Deogratius Jaganyi, who officially opened the workshop. Both speakers underscored the growing importance of transfusion medicine, research, laboratory quality systems, and inter-professional collaboration in healthcare. A pre-evaluation assessment of the participants, led by Dr. Esther Mandania was then conducted to determine participants’ baseline understanding of immunohematology concepts and their knowledge on the various topics. This was followed by Mr. Reuben Tulel, Head of monitoring and evaluation, Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Service (KBTTS) presentation on immunohematology practice in Kenya. He highlighted the current state of immunohematology in the country, including existing achievements and prevailing challenges. The aim of day one was to equip the participants with knowledge and skills on unexpected red cell antibody screening and identification, resolution of ABO discrepancies, application of hemovigilance principles in monitoring, reporting, and prevention of transfusion-related adverse events and investigation of a positive DAT sample. These were achieved by very educative presentations from Ruwayda Soeker, Dr. Rachel Githiomi, Ronald Wigina and Dr. Esther Mandania respectively. Moderators for the day were Dr. Stanley Kangethe and Mr. Stephen Kariuki.
Ruwayda Soeker discussed the unexpected red cell antibody screening and identification and its significance in preventing transfusion-related complications. She practically took the participants through the rule out process in antibody identification and emphasized on how laboratories can select appropriate donor cells for antibody screening. This was followed by a presentation on transfusion reactions by Dr. Rachel Githiomi who engaged the participants on the types, recognition, prevention and management of transfusion reactions. An interactive session followed where participants had a chance to ask questions as well as discussion of interesting cases by the participants and the presenters. To attain our objective on application of hemovigilance principles in monitoring, reporting, and prevention of transfusion-related adverse events, Ronald Nyarambe Wigina presented on hemovigilance systems. He highlighted the importance of monitoring the entire transfusion chain from donor recruitment to post-transfusion patient outcomes. This was followed by presentations on resolution of ABO & Rhesus discrepancies by Ruwayda Soeker who guided the participants on systematic approaches to investigation of the discrepancies. Investigation of a positive DAT sample was beautifully presented Dr. Esther Mandania who discussed the range of tests that should be done and the samples that should be collected during the investigation. There was a question and answer session and interesting cases discussion before a panel discussion on “The present and future of immunohematology practice” in Kenya marked the closure of day one activities.
The Vice Chancellor, Deogratis Jaganyi officially opens up the workshop
Ronald Wigina presents hemovigilance
Hands on session
Group photo of the participants
The second day commenced with a recap of the previous day’s topics. This day focused on equipping participants with knowledge and skills on laboratory investigation of transfusion reactions and antibody titration, which were covered in the early morning session. To start with, Mr. Ronald Nyarambe Wigina engaged participants on antibody titration techniques covering its principle, clinical applications and interpretation of the results. He emphasized on the importance of titration in managing Rhesus-negative pregnant mothers and monitoring clinically significant antibodies. Dr. Rachel’s presentation on laboratory investigation of transfusion reactions explored serological techniques used to investigate a suspected transfusion reactions, the key steps in the laboratory work-up of a transfusion reaction and the interpretation of the results.This aimed at imparting participants with skills and enhance proficiency on post- reaction serological testing. Most part of day 2 was occupied by practical laboratory exercises from mid –morning to late afternoon. Participants conducted practicals on blood grouping (ABO and Rhesus), resolution of ABO and rhesus discrepancies, cross matching, preparation of pooled red cell suspensions, unexpected red cell antibody screening and antibody titration. The participants were divided into five groups with each facilitator per group guiding the participants in the practicals and each participant had the opportunity to participate in the hands –on practicals.The practical sessions provided participants with exposure to laboratory procedures rarely performed in many routine laboratories. As the workshop drew to a close, the participants undertook a post-training assessment to evaluate knowledge gained during the workshop and to collect feedback, followed by presentation of certificates. The assessment demonstrated improved understanding of antibody screening and identification, ABO and Rh discrepancy resolution, laboratory investigation of transfusion reactions, investigation of a positive DAT sample, hemovigilance and antibody titration. Overall, over 90% of the participants reported the scientific content of the workshop was extremely helpful, 92% reported the learning objectives were extremely well met and 89% reported that their knowledge on antibody screening, antibody identification and antibody titration changed from intermediate to advanced. Over 95% of the delegates reported they intend to apply the knowledge and skills gained in their daily practice. Majority of the delegates suggested the topic for the future workshops to be red blood cell genotyping and to repeat antibody identification so as to have a wider coverage and continuously strengthen capacity in transfusion medicine for improved blood safety. We are grateful to ISBT Academy for supporting this event.
