Artificial intelligence solutions are at the forefront of the Blood Transfusion Updates Conference

The activities of the Annual Transfusion Medicine Updates Conference 2025 concluded yesterday, with the participation of an elite group of doctors and specialists in blood transfusion medicine, laboratories and clinical practices from various countries of the world, with the support of the Emirates Medical Association (EMA).

The conference witnessed a wide attendance of experts from the United States, Canada, Japan, and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, in addition to the participation of more than ten international companies specialized in the pharmaceutical industries, medical devices, and blood transfusion technologies, reflecting its position as a scientific platform that brings together the latest global technologies and practices under one roof.

Dr. Iman Al Zaabi, Head of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Shakhbout Medical City and President of the Conference, said that this event is considered one of the most prominent specialized medical conferences in the region, due to the scientific platform it provides that brings together an elite group of experts and specialists from various countries of the world, as it contributes to strengthening international cooperation between medical institutions, and attracting more researchers and innovative minds to participate in joint research projects that contribute to developing the field of blood transfusion and raising the quality of medical practices in this vital specialty.

She added that the conference also focuses on gene therapy and its future impact on improving the quality of life of patients, in addition to discussing ways to integrate artificial intelligence techniques into the blood transfusion system, stressing that it has become an essential part of laboratory work, with ongoing attempts to adopt it in classifying patients and determining their suitability for genetic therapies by analyzing sample results and linking them to medical cases, which allows for higher accuracy and greater speed in medical decision-making.

She explained that artificial intelligence also contributes to analyzing huge patient databases, which reduces time and effort for specialists, and gives doctors greater ability to access the latest studies and research published globally, which enriches knowledge and raises the quality of diagnosis and treatment.

She stressed that pharmaceutical companies are a major partner in the conference, due to their active role in supporting the integration of artificial intelligence into devices used in blood banks, as these technologies contribute to analyzing results and accelerating work mechanisms, allowing the technician to reach accurate results in less time.

She pointed out that the scientific committee of the conference prepared an integrated program in cooperation with leading international experts, which includes research presentations and working papers that will be evaluated according to precise scientific standards, especially those that deal with modern innovations in the field of blood transfusion.

For her part, Dr. Heba Saud Al-Humaidan, Pathology and Blood Transfusion Consultant and Head of the Laboratory and Pathology Department at Dubai Health, said that the conference represents a unique opportunity to exchange experiences and build high-level scientific partnerships between international experts and specialists in the field of blood transfusion medicine and cell therapies, pointing out that the conference aims to enhance scientific cooperation between clinical and research centers, disseminate knowledge and develop practices in blood transfusion medicine and cell therapies, in addition to enhancing cooperation at the local and international levels to achieve comprehensive benefit for the medical and research community.

She added: “The conference addresses new technologies in treating and following up complications of bone marrow transplantation, especially cases in which the body attacks the transplanted cells after transplantation, known as Graft versus Host Disease, with the aim of reducing complications and improving follow-up of patients after transplantation.”

Al-Humaidan pointed to the progress in gene therapies in laboratory models (in vitro) and the future of gene therapies in vivo (in vivo), stressing the role of artificial intelligence solutions in developing laboratory performance and raising the efficiency of blood transfusion practices, which contributes to improving the quality of health care and providing more accurate and rapid services to patients.

It is noteworthy that the conference is accredited by the European Council for Accreditation in Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®️), the European Federation of Specialized Physicians (UEMS), and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), and is also supported by the International Society for Blood Transfusion (ISBT) Academy.