BD to provide blood collection training in Zambia

BD has committed to improving healthcare provision standards in Zambia by providing training on blood sample collection techniques in the region.

The company is to participate in a programme called the Good Blood Draw Applications Zambia Initiative (GAZI), which is being conducted in association with the Zambian and US governments.

It will see BD volunteers holding intensive training sessions for 22 healthcare workers from ten hospitals and a teaching institution to ensure that safe practices are being employed during essential blood collection procedures.

Those participating will then go on to train other colleagues under the observation of BD experts, with around 420 professionals set to benefit over the course of the scheme.

BD global health director Renuka Gadde said: "Healthcare workers can expose themselves – and patients – to unnecessary risks from needle-stick injuries if they do not use the correct procedures. BD's training programme is intended to reduce that risk."

Earlier this year, the company pledged its commitment to assisting efforts by the World Health Organization to raise awareness of and combat the growing problem of drug resistance in global healthcare.