Date: Wednesday, July 14th, 2021
Time: 2:00-3:45PM CAT

Background

The United Nations commemorates World Blood Donor Day in June, with this year’s theme as “Give blood and keep the world beating”, and the international community is reminded that blood safety, blood byproducts and their transfusion are all a key aspect of healthcare delivery and public health. Understanding that blood is an essential resource, we must bring awareness to the fact that there is not an equitable access to blood for Low and Middle Income Countries. Yearly, there are 118.5 million blood donations, and of this, 40% are collected in high-income countries, only covering 16% of the world’s population.

Join This Dynamic Discussion

This month, the Equity Webinar #AskProfAgnes series, together with the UGHE MBBS/MGHD Students, will host a panel of prominent experts from diverse backgrounds and regions who will share evidence of the importance of blood donation on strengthening delivery of healthcare and discuss the policies and lessons learned in fighting for adequate and equitable access to blood products. 

REGISTER HERE

Host:

Gloria Nishimwe

MBBS/MGHD Student

Gloria Nishimwe is a second-year medical student at the University of Global Health Equity. She is also the co-founder and the current president of Intare Surgery Interest Group. She aspires to pursue a career in surgery and would like to engage in helping other students like her explore different aspects of the surgical field so as to make better and informed choices as future physicians. While still a medical student, her contribution to Global Surgery is using her voice and platforms to improve the quality of surgery access. She enjoys making new friends,  having fun, and being happy with other people.

Chair:

Prof. Agnes Binagwaho, MD, M(Ped), PHD

Vice Chancellor, University of Global Health Equity (UGHE)

Prof. Agnes Binagwaho’s full bio can be found on the UGHE website here.

Speakers:

Dr. Daniel Seifu,

Associate Professor, Head of Biochemistry

Dr Daniel Seifu currently works as an associate professor of medical Biochemistry and Head of the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda. He is also a chair of the Institutional Review Board of the University of Global Health Equity. Dr Daniel research mainly focuses on the exploration of biomarkers for breast cancer, diabetes. He also focuses on the investigation of traditional herbal medicine for their biological activities to treat cancer and diabetes. He also teaches both undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Daniel also served as Dean school of Medicine and also Director for Diagnostic laboratory and imaging at Addis Ababa University.

Prof. Dame Marcela Contreras

Professor of Transfusion Medicine, Royal Free Hospital Medical School

Prof. Dame Marcela Contreras Born and educated in Chile. Professor of Transfusion Medicine at the Royal Free/University College Medical Schools, University of London. Chairman of Blood Transfusion International, a voluntary organization for assisting blood services in the developing world. Retired as National Director for Diagnostics, Development and Research, National Blood Service (NBS), 2007. Previous appointments include Executive Director for London and the South East Zone of the NBS and Chief Executive and Medical Director of the North London Blood Transfusion Centre. Was a member of Council of the Royal College of Pathologists, Editor-in-Chief for Vox Sanguinis until April 2003 and member of 12 other editorial boards. President, International Society for Blood Transfusion (1996-98); President Section of Pathology, Royal Society of Medicine (1992-94); President of the British Blood Transfusion Society(2000 – 02). More than 370 publications, including three editions of “Blood Transfusion in Clinical Medicine”, with Professors P.L. Mollison and C.P. Engelfriet, four editions of the ABC of Transfusion, and 11 other books. Invited to lecture at international and national meetings in over 30 countries. Keen interest in assisting developing countries with the establishment of transfusion services and advancement of Transfusion Medicine. Recipient of honours such as The First International Woman in Transfusion Award granted by the ISBT, AABB & BBTS in 2005; Transfusion Medicine Award from ACOBASMET & Group CIAMT, 2004; the Prof. Castillo price by the Spanish Society of Haematology and Haemotherapy; H.R. Nevanlinna Medal, Helsinki, 2002; Zoutendyk Medal, University of Johannesburg – South Africa, 1995; Honoured Guest Lecturer 1993, Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Society; Honorary member of the Brazilian Society for Haemotherapy, the Chilean Society of Haematology, the Argentinian Society of Haematology and Haemotherapy; Rotary International, Paul Harris Fellow, 1990; Honorary academic of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, 1989; Gold medal Colegio Médicc – Chile, 2008; Doctor Honoris Causa, Univ Andres Bello, Chile 2008; Doctor Honoris Causa, Univ of Chile, 2009; Lettsomian Lecture and Medal – London Medical Society 2010; Iain Cook Memorial Lecture – Scotblood 2010; member of the Academy of Medicine, Chile The Regional Blood Centre in Concepción-Chile, carries her name.

Prof. Laurie Gillard

Associate Professor in the College of Health Sciences, Rush University, Chicago

Laurie Gillard is an Associate Professor in the College of Health Sciences and is the Program Director for the Specialist in Blood Bank (SBB) Certificate Program, at Rush University in Chicago, IL, USA. She completed her graduate education at the University of Illinois at Chicago and her undergraduate degree at Humboldt State University in California. She has been involved in laboratory science education since 2001 and taught online blood banking courses since 2003. She is delighted to be collaborating with UGHE to provide distance education to support the creation of a Center for Transfusion Excellent in Africa.