Bulgaria will have a virtual blood bank by the year`s end. A single information system is currently being introduced. The system is to connect the National Center for Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NCHBT) with the blood transfusion centers in Sofia, Plovdiv (South Central Bulgaria), Varna (on the Black Sea), Pleven (North Central Bulgaria) and Stara Zagora (Southeastern Bulgaria). `The system will track the supply of blood and blood products,` Dr Mihaela Mihailova told journalists. Mihailova heads the implementation of a World Bank Health Sector Restructuring Project. `Bulgaria has 18 blood donors per 1,000 people, far below the Council of Europe standard which is 50 donors per 1,000,` Dr Milka Kirova, head of the NCHBT Transfusion Network Organization and Information Division, said. Bulgaria is a regional leader in the set up of a modern blood transfusion network, according to the NCHBT Director, Prof. Todor Lissichkov. He said there are possibilities to form a specialized commission with the Council of Europe on transfusion medicine and hematology and to establish a Balkan Blood Supply Network.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!