Ministry of Health and Bristol Myers Squibb visit Blood Bank Center in Riyadh to Raise Awareness of the Importance of Plentiful Supplies of Blood for the Nation

Both parties reiterated the importance of safe and secure blood transfusion services and blood bank management in the Kingdom

Riyadh: Gulf Tech News

A delegation from the Saudi Ministry of Health, and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) visited the Blood Bank and Main Laboratory Center at Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Riyadh to raise awareness of the vital role of blood banks in the Saudi Arabia. The visit was part of a BMS collaboration with the Ministry of Health to advance blood management policies, practices, and guidelines to improve patient outcomes in the Kingdom.
The center visit was also attended by Salwa Hindawi, Professor of Hematology & transfusion medicine, President of Saudi Friend’s Charity of Thalassemia & Sickle Cell Anemia Society, Chief Scientific Officer of Saudi Society of Transfusion Medicine & Services – and senior executives from BMS including Oscar Delgado, General Manager Middle East & Africa, and Wessam Ibrahim, Market Access Head Middle East & Africa.
Together they toured the state-of-the-art facilities and highlighted their commitment to collaborating with the Saudi Ministry of Health to develop, evaluate, and implement innovative and alternative approaches to optimize transfusion services and blood management. This is especially important in the context of chronic diseases that are prevalent in Saudi Arabia and other GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries. Patients living with chronic diseases such as thalassemia often require frequent blood transfusions.

In his speech Dr. Abdullah Turjoman, Director of Laboratory and Blood Bank at Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, said: “Efforts to improve blood management and transfusion align with Vision 2030 and our mission to build a robust and resilient healthcare system to ensure that Saudi citizens have access to quality care. We are delighted to be working with Bristol Myers Squibb to advance our blood management policies, practices, and guidelines. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in our efforts to optimize transfusion services and improve patient outcomes in our beloved country.”
Oscar Delgado, General Manager at Bristol Myers Squibb, Middle East & Africa said: “Bristol Myers Squibb has a long-standing commitment to improving patient outcomes and is dedicated to working with governments and healthcare providers to help address the challenges around blood supply systems.
Blood management is a critical component of patient care and we are proud to partner with the Saudi Ministry of Health to improve lives. This visit reinforces our company’s commitment to supporting the healthcare system in the Kingdom and promoting better health for all.”
BMS recently hosted a high-level panel in Riyadh to launch ‘Blood and Beyond’, a multi-stakeholder initiative developed by experts from the field of transfusion medicine and hematology, patient advocacy, health sector management, policy, and regulations. The report examines the current challenges faced in the Kingdom regarding blood transfusion services and calls for a collaborative, patient-centric approach to optimizing blood transfusion management in Saudi Arabia.