Aims: Despite the need to recruit and retain more blood donors, some are deferred from donating to ensure their safety and that of recipients is maintained. Examination of donor deferrals provides insights into how donor procurement strategies can be improved. Provision of safe and adequate supply of blood products is a major public health issue globally. As a result provision of safe blood should be ensured through proper donation procedures and safe transfusion. to assess the donor deferral rates and reasons for deferral among donors at Namibia blood transfusion services (NAMbts) from 01st April 2012 to 31st March 2015. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the deferred donor records from 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2015. results: Out of 50,074 prospective donors, 4302 (8.6%) donors were deferred. the deferral rates for females and males were 74.0% and 26.0%, respectively. Of the deferred donors

Aims: Anemia is a global health concern affecting billions of people worldwide. The diagnostic approach to iron deficiency anemia could be streamlined in an attempt to increase diagnostic sensitivity and to reduce uncertainties in interpreting laboratory generated results. In doing so the introduction of hepcidin testing may prove to be useful but this requires the establishment of reference normal ranges. The main aim of this study was to establish reference values of hepcidin in the Namibian blood donor population which can be used as baseline or reference point in future hepcidin studies to be carried out in the same population. Methods: In establishing the reference range, a total of 40 healthy adult participants were randomly selected from eligible blood donors in Namibia. Venous blood samples from qualifying consenting donors were collected shortly before the blood donation session. The samples were refrigerated before being spun down for storage in a -70°C freezer to maintain sample integrity. On the day of testing samples were prepared for testing using an enzyme linked immunosorbent

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Introduction Anaemia, a condition characterized by reduced oxygen‐carrying capacity, is a widespread public health problem with major consequences for human health as well as social and economic development. Prompt and accurate diagnosis as well as effective management of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is important to prevent the undesired adverse clinical outcomes. Methods The purpose of the study was to assess the adequacy of IDA diagnosis and management within the Namibian private healthcare system. In this study, we used a quantitative, descriptive research design and data collection methods. The design was also nonexperimental in nature, employing a survey instrument to collect data. In total, 51 questionnaires were administered to private medical practitioners. Results The surveyed medical practitioners used different Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) in managing IDA cases, with the majority (76.5%) using the Namibia STGs. The other guidelines and their usage rates were as follows: World Health Organization guidelines (39.2%), Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicine List for South Africa (19.6%) and Essential Medicine List and Standard Treatment Guidelines for Zimbabwe (19.6%). Most of the medical practitioners used Namibian STGs although others used other treatment guidelines at their discretion. Conclusion The study concluded that medical practitioners follow different guidelines and reference documents when dealing with patients with suspected IDA. Adherence to a single reference document would enable standardization of clinical practice. Management of IDA in the Namibian private healthcare system could be improved. To ensure adequate IDA management and prompt resolution of iron deficiency anaemia, we recommended the need to review the Namibia Standard Treatment guidelines and to ensure that training on the guidelines is offered.

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