KARACHI: The Regional Blood Center at the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) has become the first blood transfusion center in Pakistan to receive the internationally recognized AABB Certification in Fundamental Standards: Blood Banking and Transfusion Services, marking a landmark achievement for the country's blood safety and transfusion medicine sector.
The certification, awarded by the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB), recognizes the center's compliance with globally accepted standards for quality management, patient safety and best practices in blood banking and transfusion services.
The achievement represents another major international recognition for DUHS under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Professor Nazli Hossain, reinforcing the university's growing reputation for advancing healthcare quality and clinical excellence in Pakistan.
A milestone for blood safety in Pakistan
Originally established as a hospital blood bank in 2003, the facility was upgraded to a Regional Blood Center in 2022 under Pakistan's National Safe Blood Transfusion Program.
Today, the center functions as a regional referral hub, supplying blood and blood components, conducting patient compatibility testing, providing transfusion-related laboratory services, and offering technical support to affiliated hospitals and thalassemia centers across Karachi.
The AABB certification confirms that the center meets internationally recognized operational and quality standards designed to improve patient outcomes, ensure safe blood transfusion practices and strengthen quality assurance systems.
Recognition for quality and international standards
The certification process involved a comprehensive evaluation of the center's quality management systems, laboratory practices, operational procedures and patient safety protocols.
The DUHS Regional Blood Center is headed by Dr Uzma Ata, whose team successfully completed the rigorous international assessment required to obtain the certification.
The facility had previously achieved ISO 15189 accreditation, the globally recognized standard for medical laboratory quality and competence. The addition of AABB certification further elevates its standing among leading blood transfusion centers in the region.
Commitment to patient safety
Commenting on the achievement, Dr Uzma Ata, Director of the DUHS Regional Blood Center, said the certification reflects the institution's unwavering commitment to quality, patient safety and excellence in transfusion medicine.
"By meeting the highest international standards in blood safety and quality management, the Dow Blood Center ensures the provision of the safest blood and blood components to patients. This landmark achievement places our center among internationally recognized healthcare institutions and reinforces our commitment to providing the people of Pakistan with safe, effective and world-class transfusion services," she said.
Strengthening Pakistan's healthcare system
Experts say internationally accredited blood transfusion services play a vital role in reducing transfusion-related risks and improving outcomes for patients undergoing surgery, trauma care, cancer treatment, childbirth, organ transplantation and the lifelong management of blood disorders such as thalassemia.
The recognition is expected to strengthen confidence in Pakistan's blood banking infrastructure while encouraging other institutions to adopt internationally recognized quality and safety standards.
As the first blood transfusion center in Pakistan to receive AABB certification, the DUHS Regional Blood Center has set a new benchmark for excellence in transfusion medicine, reinforcing the importance of quality-driven healthcare and safer blood services across the country.
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