Executive Directors, Dr. Ambrose Ng and Dr. Yen-Sen Hsueh, recently accepted an invitation from OU-COM Tropical Disease Institute’s Dr. Mario Grijalva and the Ecuadorian Red Cross to visit several blood banks on a whirlwind five-day tour. While researching Chagas’ Disease, Grijalva determined that there was the risk of transmission of this disease through blood transfusion from the Quito (located in an area not considered endemic for Chagas diseases in Ecuador) Red Cross blood supply, and to rid Ecuador of Chagas meant to improve the quality and safety of the blood supply.

Many of the blood banks in Ecuador lack adequate resources and infrastructure for proper blood screening, standardized quality control, training and education programs, all while surrounded by a fragile Ecuadorian economy and socio-political instability.

The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) is currently leading an effort to improve the safety of the bloold supply in Latin America. "It is our intention to collaborate with PAHO, other international organizations and the Ecuadorian Red Cross to improve the blood safety in Ecuador," said Dr. Grijalva.

Dr. Ng, Dr. Hsueh, and Dr. Grijalva toured blood banks in Quito, Ambato, Latacunga, and Guayaquil to assess areas of improvement. "I’m very impressed with the resourcefulness and strong leadership in Ecuador’s Red Cross blood banks," Dr. Ng said. "The purpose of this trip is to identify ways to help and also to learn. We have seen cases of Chagas’ Disease in the U.S., and we are also studying the problem," he added.

"This visit is the first step," said Dr. Ng. "It’s the beginning of partnerships which will lead to improved health in Ecuador."

Collaboration between the Ecuadorian Red Cross, American Red Cross and Tropical Disease Institute is key in improving the blood supply in Ecuador. From left to right:  Dr. Maria Dolores Nieto, Ecuador Red Cross, Dr. Cecil Romero, Ecuador Red Cross, Dr. Mario Grijalva, TDI, Luis Chirboga Parra, Ecuadorian Red Cross, Dr. Ambrose Ng, American Red Cross, Guido Carrera Gonzalez, Ecuador Red Cross,  Dr. Yen-Sen Hsueh, American Red Cross, and Mrs. May Hsueh.

Red Cross representatives Dr. Amrose Ng and Dr. Yen-Sen Hsueh visited with the Ambato Red Cross Blood Bank, one and a half hours north of Quito. While touring, the team met Medical Technologist Janny N. Needina, who tests blood samples for HIV, and records the process by hand in a ledger. The Ambato Red Cross conducts HIV screenings on donations as well on blood samples taken for businesses to screen employees.

Needina studied blood banking in Ecuador’s Central University and has worked at the Ambato blood bank for three years. "We would like to learn and improve," she said, but the problem, she said simply, "is there’s no money."