Tbilisi (Georgia)/San Francisco (California) Partnership

What We Do › Blood Banking › Tbilisi (Georgia)/San Francisco (California) Partnership

AIHA’s Tbilisi/San Francisco partnership was established in 1999 to introduce a modern, evidence-based system of blood banking in the Caucasus nation of Georgia. Staff at Jo Ann Medical Center in Tbilisi received ongoing training in various laboratory methods and transfusion techniques and learned about blood bank management, donor recruitment, and patient interviewing.

Supplied with modern diagnostic and office equipment, the Center’s policies and procedures are in accordance with both European and American standards. The center uses only disposable supplies and high-quality test systems and all donated blood is screened for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis, and ABO/Rh. Through scrupulous monitoring, the Center has achieved a zero transmission rate for these diseases.

Although the partnership officially ended in 2003, the Tbilisi and San Francisco partners—with ongoing technical assistance from AIHA—are continuing their work under a grant from the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Blood Bank staff are training workers from 10 high-volume transfusion centers throughout Georgia in modern lab methods and blood banking practices.

« Go Back