Australian Red Cross Lifeblood and Flinders Overseas Health Group Collaboration

In January 2024, the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood and Flinders Overseas Health Group (FOHG) partnered with the Palang Merah Indonesia (PMI, Indonesian Red Cross) Blood Transfusion Unit in Kupang to deliver focused, high-impact support through the Lifeblood Humanitarian Blood Program. The visit aimed to strengthen local blood service operations and support alignment with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, based on priorities identified by local leadership — notably long-time FOHG collaborators Dr. Samson Teron and Dr. Hermi Indita (“Dr. Ita”).

This collaboration provided the Kupang Blood Transfusion Unit with access to additional resources and expert technical guidance, directly enhancing operational capacity and blood product quality. Ms. Laicey Colum from Lifeblood WA delivered on-site training across three sessions, supported by the broader Lifeblood Australia team. The training was extremely well received by staff at the Palang Merah Indonesia Blood Transfusion Unit. Following the success of this initial engagement, the collaboration evolved into a year-long project. Lifeblood conducted three additional visits to Kupang throughout 2024–2025, providing sustained, targeted support.

Tangible outcomes include increased blood product safety, stronger alignment with GMP principles, and measurable progress toward plasma fractionation readiness — a critical step in improving access to safe plasma-derived medicinal products in Nusa Tenggara Timur.  As a result, the Kupang PMI blood service has now achieved certification to Indonesian hospital transfusion standards and is well on its way to attaining full GMP accreditation. There is potential for this very successful collaboration to be built upon subject to further funding.