Speaker
Description
Irradiation of blood components is perform before blood transfusion is carried out to prevent Transfusion-Associated Graft-versus-Host Disease (TA-GvHD) especially for patients with defective immune system such as cancer and HIV patients. Although blood product irradiation is currently performed using Cesium-137 (Cs-137) source but X-ray irradiation have becoming more reliable and efficient with no physical security protection requires. In Malaysia, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Hospital are the first medical institution that has installed X-ray Irradiator followed by the National Blood Center, which shall start the installation this year. To ensure an effective transition of blood irradiation technology to alternative technology based on X-ray, a committee at the ministry level has been established to evaluate the proposal replacement of Gamma blood irradiators to alternative technologies. A notification letter by the Director General of Health also has been distributed to all licensees regarding the future purchase and replacement of Gamma blood irradiators to alternative technologies. However to adopt alternative technologies there are several consideration need to be defined which is interest from all stakeholder such as End Users, Regulators, Other Government Agencies, Device Manufactures, Professional Association and International Initiatives and the potential challenges from Risk Aversion & Complacency, Licensing, Changes to Operations, Engineering & Finance and Disposal. In conclusion, the transition from Gamma blood irradiators to alternative technologies is still under implementation phase with the consideration on the potential adoption challenges, legal requirements and the role of key stakeholders involved.
