Hemoglobinopathy Subgroup
Sickle cell disease and thalassemia are the most common clinically significant hemoglobinopathies worldwide. Carriers of these disorders represent approximately 5% of the world's population. Blood transfusion is associated with risks such as allergic or hemolytic reactions, alloimmunization, and iron overload. Reduction in morbidity and mortality is highly dependent on safe and optimal transfusion practices. Many patients reside in Low- and Middle- Income Countries (LMICs) that have scarce resources and fragmented transfusion services that are highly dependent on replacement donations. The fragile blood supply system makes it very challenging for the blood banks in these countries to have access to regular and safe blood supply.
About the Subgroup
The hemoglobinopathy subgroup of the ISBT Clinical Transfusion Working Party is an international group of professionals with interest in promoting for best transfusion practices in patients with hemoglobinopathies. The subgroup include pediatricians, pediatric hemato-oncologists, blood transfusion specialists, among other specialists.
The subgroup’s objectives are
- Promoting for safe transfusion support for patients with hemoglobinopathies
- Create a collaborative network of experts for sharing educational resources in the transfusion management of patients with hemoglobinopathies
- Increasing public awareness about prevention and early diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies.
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Increasing public awareness through social media about transfusion support of patients with hemoglobinopathies and its complications
Subgroup activities
We hold virtual meetings quarterly and meet in person at the international and regional conferences a minimum of once a year.
Educational resources
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Leadership
Ratti Ram Sharma
Ratti Ram Sharma (MD) is currently Head of the Department of Transfusion Medicine at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research,Chandigarh, India. He has been working in the specialty for last 25 years and has keen interest in Apheresis, Stem Cell biology, blood component quality control and clinical transfusion practice. He has been instrumental in developing the curriculum for M.D. Transfusion Medicine programme in the Institute and established an active therapeutic apheresis and Bone Marrow processing unit in the department and received “Advancing apheresis technology runner-up award” from Terumo Caridian BCT, USA in 2014. Has been recipient of prestigious JR Jolly (2014) & H.D. Shourie (2008) awards of the Indian Society of Blood Transfusion and Immunohematology for his scientific research & innovative ideas in the field of Transfusion Medicine. Certificate of distinction from the University of Minnesota as a special research fellow in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, USA for his active participation in academic & research activities. He is the Member of WHO Advisory group on Blood safety. He is the Member of National blood safety and hemovigilance programme implementation working groups. He has more than 100 publications both in National and International Journals.
