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Our Governance

Governance as the strong foundation of SANBS’ business

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Our Governance

Reporting frameworks, process and combined assurance

Haemovigilance

Noted the annual Haemovigilance Report, a mandatory requirement, authored by the NHVC and thanked the members for their exceptional work. The NHVC is satisfied with the progress made in operationalising the NHVC activities and oversight.

Data and information governance
  • Provided oversight for projects aimed at mitigating risks related to inadequate data and information life-cycle management:
  • Data Governance Project
    • Completion of a maturity assessment and delivery of a “Risk and Opportunity Identification Report”
    • Drafting and review of a Data Governance Framework
    • Ongoing identification of critical data assets and development of a digital learning platform for staff
  • Hardcopy Rationalisation Project
    • Finalised the business case for managing over 60,000 archived boxes
    • Procurement and site readiness planning initiated for FY26
  • Overall, the progress on both projects is on track.
Policies and terms of reference
  • Considered/reviewed the following policies:
    • Integrated Blood Safety Policy
    • Hierarchical Blood Issuing Policy
    • SANBS Research Policy
    • Infection Prevention Control Policy
    • Financial Support for Donor Adverse Events Policy.
  • Reviewed and approved the committee terms of reference and annual work plan
Impact of the NHI implementation on the SANBS business model

CGC noted that SANBS continues to monitor the broader NHI environment and will continue to monitor any developments while ensuring that -organisational and clinical processes are continuously refined to meet any future demands ahead of its implementation.

Counselling of HIV-positive donors

The remote HIV donor counselling initiative launched in October 2024, has enabled donors located over 200 km from SANBS headquarters to receive counselling from external healthcare providers. Initially, the availability of private providers in remote areas posed challenges to this, requiring reliance on local public health clinics. Efforts are underway to explore partnerships with major pharmacy groups to further expand external counselling options.

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SANBS RAD Academy

Noted:

  • Further progress made in operationalising the SANBS RAD Academy
  • The notably successful launch of the "Growing Our Own" programme, awarding 10 bursaries to final-year Bachelor of Health Sciences students in Immunohaematology, who will be placed in SANBS blood banks after graduation
  • The learning and development arm of the RAD Academy is focused on resolving ongoing challenges with HPCSA training accreditation. Thirteen (13) sites were evaluated - and feedback is awaited. Multiple SANBS blood bank laboratories are awaiting full HPCSA accreditation. As audits and approvals by HPCSA lag, the trainees, including laboratory assistants and medical technologists, cannot complete their required practical training in blood-bank settings. SANBS continues to strengthen relationships with HPCSA and SANC to resolve accreditation and training bottlenecks for technologists and phlebotomists
  • The annual training target of 15 000 - healthcare professionals was significantly exceeded, with training of a total of 64 298, made possible by hybrid training methods
Clinical Governance Committee cont.
It takes more than one heart to save a life. At SANBS, we serve with heart, together with every donor, every colleague, and every life touched by our mission.