Muhammad Umar Waqqas
Pakistan has some of the most exemplary women leaders working in diverse sectors from agriculture to health to technology, making their mark in national and international front and contributing to Pakistan’s development. Such women make Pakistan proud with their unwavering strength, dedication and efforts in being experts in their respective professional fields. In this report, TFD will focus on such a Pakistani woman who is a role model for millions and is inspiring a generation of medical students all around the world.
Dr. Saba is a well-known name in the Pakistan medical community. Her work on centralizing the country’s blood banking system and making it at par with international standards has been a topic of discussion in various medical circles worldwide. In just seven years, Dr. Saba managed to create the largest centralized blood banking system in the country. A graduate of Sindh Medical College, Dr. Saba went to the US where she did three boards of Anatomic Pathology and Clinic Pathology. She followed that up with a fellowship in histopathology and then boards in hematology.
Dr. Saba Jamal says “When I came back from the US, I started working as a hematologist and a histopathologist. During that period I realized that despite our labs being so up to date, our blood banks were not up to the par and no one was working on improving them either,” she says. “I realized that if you do the blood banking correctly then you can’t make money out of it,” Dr. Saba adds. “It’s a very expensive undertaking to produce safe blood in Pakistan, and all of the blood is collected through replacement donors. So, it rests on the patient’s families to go and get the donors because there is no factory for blood and the patient’s family has to go and get blood. This creates a major problem for patients who require transfusions such as those suffering from thalassemia, hemophilia, or cancer patients who require blood before their chemotherapy.
“Cancer patients run into major problems because even their relatives don’t come to meet them because they know they will be asked for blood. So, it’s a very tragic situation for them. With no work done on voluntary blood donation in the country, the country was facing a race against time – of nearly 50 to 70 years behind the world in centralized blood banking. I modified the blood banking practices at Ziauddin Hospital to see if it was doable by training the staff and brought them up to the mark, and that is when I realized it is possible to do it in Pakistan and started looking for partners with whom I can work with to establish. I shared my vision with Dr. Abdul Bari of Indus Hospital and he warmly welcomed me aboard. In just seven years we have grown from one blood center to four regional blood centers and running 22 blood banks in public private partnership with the Sindh & Punjab health department. I hope that Pakistan’s healthcare system will hugely benefit from it.”
Concept behind Panacea
Blood banking challenges persist with resource constraints in developing nations: Despite a rapidly growing global population and no shortage of potential blood donors, developing nations continue to face significant challenges in delivering safe blood to patients. The complex process of collecting, processing, and distributing blood relies on meticulous procedures and advanced technologies, which remain difficult to implement in resource-limited settings. Blood drives for voluntary, non-remunerated donations are critical to maintaining a reliable supply. However, the lack of standardized processes and skilled personnel hampers efficient blood collection and preparation. In industrialized nations, blood banking has evolved into a sophisticated industry with advanced process controls and technological innovations ensuring the routine delivery of safe blood from donor to patient. In contrast, regions across Africa and Asia require an estimated 56 million units of safe blood annually, according to WHO estimates. Transfusion-related mortality and morbidity remain pressing issues in these areas due to poor implementation of safety protocols, fragmented blood banking operations, and resource shortages.
The root causes of this fragmented system include inadequate human resources, limited funding, and a lack of commitment to ensuring safe blood supplies. Addressing these gaps demands not only investment in infrastructure but also a shift in attitudes toward the imperative of safe blood transfusions. Companies specializing in innovative solutions for blood banking are now stepping forward to tackle these challenges, aiming to revolutionize blood collection and processing irrespective of a country’s human development index. Their efforts may hold the key to bridging the gap between technological advancements and the basic healthcare needs of millions.
Panacea’s characteristics / functional procedures
Panacea revolutionizes blood banking with comprehensive, Cloud-based solutions: Panacea, a sophisticated Blood Banking Management Information System (MIS), is redefining the standards for safe and efficient blood collection, processing, and distribution which is developed by industry experts. Panacea incorporates advanced decision-making algorithms to emulate the judgment of seasoned blood bankers, therefore it reduces errors and streamline the operations. It is designed with a modular and user-friendly interface. Panacea ensures regulatory compliance and integrates seamlessly with existing hospital and laboratory information systems. Its real-time monitoring capability detects and prevents operational deviations, transforming potential errors into learning opportunities.
Key Features of Panacea and Benefits
Error-Free Blood Collection
Panacea minimizes human errors during donor selection, blood collection, and testing. The system offers a paperless workflow compatible with mobile blood drives, ensuring data integrity through Wi-Fi-enabled connections.
Comprehensive Testing and Compliance
Panacea supports a broad range of blood testing protocols, from manual serology to automated immune-hematology processes. Built-in safeguards enforce regulatory timelines and quality standards for blood components, guaranteeing compliance with ISBT requirements.
Streamlined Blood Inventory Management
The platform’s inventory management module provides a comprehensive view of blood stock, including issuable, quarantined, and reserved units. It tracks expiry dates and facilitates safe product issuance with complete traceability.
Client and Order Management
Panacea’s Online Blood Ordering System enables hospitals and blood centers to manage orders seamlessly. Clients can track orders, view invoices, and submit compatibility requests online, enhancing service efficiency.
Compatibility between Cloud & Local Server
The hybrid architecture of Panacea allows deployment on both cloud and local servers, providing operational flexibility while reducing IT costs. Organizations can focus solely on blood banking activities without worrying for infrastructure maintenance.
Ensuring Safety at Every Step
Panacea’s extensions close the loop in blood safety, from donor to patient bedside. Modules like Vitalia (transfusion management) and Certus (wristband printing) enhance operational control and ensure traceability. Through automated alerts, quality control measures, and real-time decision support, Panacea empowers blood banks to maintain the highest safety standards.
In a groundbreaking move for global blood transfusion practices, Panacea Haemovigilance emerges as a sophisticated web-based Blood Banking Management Information System (MIS), ensuring seamless and safe operations from donor collection to patient transfusion. Developed with a rules-based engine that mimics the decision-making abilities of expert blood bankers. Panacea dramatically reduces human errors while maintaining high operational throughput. Its real-time alert system identifies and blocks potential violations, reinforcing compliance with blood banking standards.
Comprehensive and Scalable Solution
Panacea’s modular architecture addresses both blood collection and processing, caters hospitals, regional blood centers, and national transfusion services. It offers scalable solutions that are equally effective for small healthcare facilities and large, resource-intensive setups. The system functions seamlessly on both cloud and local servers, providing flexibility for resource-constrained regions. With just a standard PC and internet connection, blood banks can access advanced capabilities without expensive infrastructure investments.
Panacea’s significance for blood transfusion practices in Pakistan and worldwide
Advancing Blood Safety in Resource-Deprived Regions: Panacea’s emphasis on affordability and efficiency makes it particularly valuable for developing countries. Its ability to unlock the full potential of blood banks ensures the delivery of quality blood products, even under financial and environmental constraints. To further bolster patient safety, Panacea Haemovigilance introduces plug-in modules that support patient registration, wristband printing, and transfusion tracking. These tools guarantee that the right blood reaches the right patient at the right time.
A Vision for Global Impact
By addressing the critical challenges of blood safety and operational efficiency, Panacea positions itself as a transformative force in the global healthcare landscape. Its innovative approach not only enhances compliance but also enables blood banks to deliver safe, high-quality blood products independent of human resource limitations. As blood transfusion demands grow worldwide, Panacea offers a scalable and accessible solution to improve healthcare outcomes for patients everywhere.
The Future of Blood Banking
As demand for safe blood continues to grow, Panacea’s innovative approach positions it as a game-changer in both developed and resource-constrained regions. Its cost-effective, scalable solutions make it an ideal choice for blood banks seeking to enhance efficiency and compliance while reducing errors. With Panacea, the vision of universal access to safe blood becomes increasingly achievable-everywhere, every time.
Role of Government is Required
Elevation of Software Development Industry is Essential to Fuel Digital Growth: To foster innovation and growth in the software development industry, the government can play a pivotal role by providing tax incentives and financial grants to digital programming firms, particularly start-ups and SMEs. Establishing tech hubs and incubation centers would offer software houses access to resources, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities. Additionally, investing in upskilling initiatives and technical education can create a skilled workforce, driving technological advancements in the digital sector.
Furthermore, the government should promote policies that encourage private sector partnerships and provide streamlined regulatory frameworks for software exports and intellectual property protection. Improved digital infrastructure, such as widespread high-speed internet and data security frameworks, can further strengthen the foundation for software development. By integrating software solutions in public services, the government can also act as a key client, offering software houses the opportunity to contribute to national digital transformation efforts.
Dr. Saba Jamal’s efforts are an example for the youth and are a source of positive identity for the country. With government support, PANACEA can touch the heights of further development and innovation.