Academy
Strengthening partnerships, building capacity: ISBT Academy Day opens the AfSBT 2026 Congress
The 12th International Congress of the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion (AfSBT) opened in Windhoek, Namibia, on 23 March 2026, bringing together blood transfusion professionals, policymakers, researchers and partners from across Africa and beyond. Held at the Windhoek Convention Centre under the theme “Innovative Connections: Enhancing the Blood Transfusion Ecosystems”, the congress celebrated the power of collaboration in strengthening blood transfusion services and improving patient care throughout the continent.
A highlight of the opening day was the ISBT Academy Day, a long-standing educational collaboration between the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion (AfSBT) and the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). Over the years, this partnership has played a pivotal role in building professional capacity across Africa by providing high-quality scientific education that responds to the evolving needs of transfusion services. Each Academy Day reflects the shared commitment of both societies to strengthening knowledge, promoting best practice and supporting safer transfusion systems.
This year’s Academy Day, themed “Hospital Transfusion: Better Transfusion, Better Patient,” focused on the practical application of haemovigilance in improving patient safety. Through a dynamic programme of expert presentations, interactive discussions and case-based learning, participants explored topics ranging from hospital blood bank practice and transfusion reactions to emergency blood management and strategies for embedding haemovigilance into routine clinical care.
Expert panel discussion during Session I: The Pivotal Role of the Hospital Blood Bank.
The event attracted a multidisciplinary audience from blood transfusion services, hospitals, universities and healthcare institutions across Africa. Feedback collected through the congress mobile application confirmed the relevance of the programme.
Participants identified strengthening haemovigilance knowledge, improving transfusion safety and networking with colleagues as the principal reasons for attending the Academy Day. Overall, respondents reported that the programme enhanced their knowledge, achieved its learning objectives and provided valuable opportunities for professional exchange.
Interactive sessions received particularly positive feedback, with participants highlighting the practical discussions on managing transfusion reactions, responding to blood shortages during emergencies and strengthening hospital blood bank practice as especially valuable. Many participants also commented on the highly interactive nature of the programme, noting that the exchange of experiences between countries enriched the learning experience and provided practical insights that could be adapted within their own institutions.
The survey also generated valuable suggestions for future Academy Days, including increased hands-on workshops, broader coverage of emerging topics such as apheresis and quality management, and wider sharing of presentation materials after the event to support continued learning and implementation.
Interactive group work on embedding haemovigilance into hospital practice.
The continued success of the ISBT Academy Day is a testament to the enduring partnership between AfSBT and ISBT. By combining regional leadership with international expertise, the two societies continue to invest in one of the most important resources for improving blood transfusion services—people. Through education, mentorship and collaboration, this partnership is helping to strengthen professional capacity, advance haemovigilance and ultimately improve patient outcomes across Africa.
As AfSBT looks to the future, partnerships such as this remain central to its mission. Together with ISBT and other collaborators, the Society remains committed to supporting excellence in transfusion medicine, fostering innovation and building stronger, more resilient blood transfusion systems that serve communities throughout Africa.
Participants shared practical solutions and experiences during the interactive group workshop.
ISBT Academy Support
ARE YOU ORGANIZING AN EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AFTER MAY 1, 2027?
Applications for the support of educational events held after May 2027
Apply for ISBT Academy Support, which is available for educational activities, the use of the ISBT logo and the ISBT endorsement of an existing educational course. The upcoming deadline is January 1, 2027.
Applications from countries in the Low or Lower Middle World Bank Index categories are eligible.
Each organization can only submit an application for financial support every other year and can request to use the ISBT logo as many times as required.
