The subject of blood borne diseases and the safety of blood transfusion is a joint concern of both developed and developing countries.

The blood safety unit of the World Health Organisation was established to assist the member states to ensure that all individuals have access to blood and blood products that are s safe as possible.

In order to fulfil this mission, seven specific objectives have been identified by the unit as will be discussed in the seminar, which also 

recognises appropriate use of blood and blood products as one of the means of minimising unnecessary blood transfusion and its attendant risks.

The development of the EAT-SET device is seen as one of the programmes of appropriate operational research designed to improve blood safety.

Dr. W. ALDIS, MD

WHO Representative for Nigeria