Do you transfuse blood?

Postgraduate Diploma in Transfusion Medicine

The Postgraduate Diploma in Transfusion Medicine provides a unique and exciting opportunity to gain practical knowledge in clinical Transfusion Medicine. This is also the first and only Postgraduate qualification in Transfusion Medicine of its kind presented in English in Africa. This diploma is for every doctor involved in the transfusion of blood and blood products, whether you work in a rural, academic or private setting. It will empower you to use blood, a scarce resource, appropriately and cost-effectively in the larger context of a resource-constrained environment.

The Postgraduate diploma is a part-time programme with continuous assessments in the form of assignments. A combination of online and printed teaching material is used. There are two face-to-face contact sessions per year at the University of the Free State campus in Bloemfontein. During these sessions national and international experts give lectures on critical areas in Transfusion Medicine. Also, practical interactive sessions are organized, with a small laboratory training component (no previous lab experience required).

A formal university qualification in Transfusion Medicine will be obtained from the University of the Free State. The qualification is registered to earn CPD points and can also be registered as an additional qualification at the HPCSA. No prior expert knowledge of Transfusion Medicine is required to register for this program but you will need a MBChB or equivalent qualification and should be registered as an Independent Practice medical practitioner with the HPCSA or an equivalent body in your country of origin.

As there is a substantial distance learning component, access to email and Internet facilities is essential.

The course modules include subjects like:

• Organization and management of a transfusion service,
• Principles of blood banking and fractionation of blood,
• Administration of blood products,
• Clinical use of blood products,
• Complications of blood transfusion,
• Developments in transfusion medicine,

For more information contact: Mrs (W) Wilmarie du Toit
T: +27 51 405 3132
F: +27 51 444 3138
E: transfusion@ufs.ac.za

Supported by:

• The Africa Society for Blood Transfusion (AfSBT)
• The National Bioproducts Institute (NBI)
• The South African National Blood Service (SANBS)
• The Western Province Blood Transfusion Service (WPBTS)
• University of the Free State