In 2016, representatives from the British Society for Haematology (BSH) and haematologists from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) met to decide the priorities of the Global Haematology Special Interest Group (SIG).

One priority was identifying BSH speakers to visit LMIC haematology meetings to establish links and collaborative projects.

We built on the success of the 2017 pilot project to establish the Plenary Speaker Project as a core activity of the SIG. In 2023, we rebranded the scheme as BSH Global Speakers to better communicate our vision for the project,

Global Speaker needed for the Hematology-Blood Transfusion Society of Vietnam conference. Deadline: 6 July 2026

A speaker is needed for the Hematology-Blood Transfusion Society of Vietnam (HTSV) conference, taking place 26 - 27 November 2026 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The conference: 

  • provides a platform for haematologists all over in Vietnam to update, discuss and share progresses and development of haematology and blood transfusion practices. 
  • encourages cooperation and collaborations, expertise sharing with international scientific societies in haematology and blood transfusion.  
  • encourage young researchers to study and present their work. 

The speaker topics the Society are looking for a speaker to cover can be:

  • Gene Therapy for Thalassemia patients

Reason: The prevalence of Thalassemia continues to rise, as prevention programs in Vietnam have not yet reached optimal efficacy. Currently, the Thalassemia Center at National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) manages records for 6,000 patients, with approximately 3,000 patients receiving treatment annually, 40–50% of whom present with severe phenotypes (Thalassemia Major). Consequently, there is a high clinical demand for stem cell transplantation and gene therapy.

  • Coagulation disorders in non-splenectomized and splenectomized Thalassemia patients

Reason: Each year, approximately 50–100 patients at the Thalassemia Center undergo splenectomy according to clinical indications. A significant proportion (15%) of patients experience thromboembolic events (thrombosis). Although NIHBT has conducted studies on these clinical characteristics, definitive correlations and specific risk factors for thrombosis in these patients have yet to be identified.

  • Management of Non-Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia (NTDT)

Reason: Patients with Non-Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia (NTDT) have not received adequate medical attention. This group often lacks regular follow-ups and typically only presents at hospitals once complications have manifested. Therefore, there is an urgent need for more detailed clinical guidelines for this cohort, specifically regarding: indications for blood transfusion, iron chelation therapy, and monitoring of complications.

 

Besides the presentations at the conference, the Society is looking forward to having BSH experts to participate in several activities such as:  

  • Meetings between BSH’s expert and HTSV’s executive board, NIHBT’s board of directors and doctors to discuss further cooperation and collaboration.
  • Site visit of National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT).
  • Case report discussion with a clinical team. 

If this role of speaker is of interest to you and you would like to support, please email your completed application form and CV to Volunteer Support Officer, Asia Parvez.

You must be a BSH Member to apply.

Deadline: Monday 6 July, 2026.

Society applications open for Speaker request. Deadline: 3 August 2026

Applications are now open for societies to request a BSH-sponsored global speaker.

The BSH Global Speakers scheme aims to form international partnerships with haematology societies in LMICs to share knowledge and expertise.

We have previously funded UK-based speakers selected by BSH to travel to face-to-face meetings, financially supporting economy return international flights, accommodation and subsistence for the speakers. 

Society applicants are encouraged to use this initiative to collaborate on, e.g. co-authored evidence-based guidelines or research to improve evidence and treatment in your setting.

If your society is planning a conference or meeting in 2027, we welcome you to apply for a speaker.

Please email our Volunteer Support Officer, Asia Parvez for an application form.

Deadline: Monday 3rd August, 2026.

About the programme

Making links, creating networks

The initial phases of this programme involved mapping out and making contacts with active haematology and transfusion societies in LMICs worldwide.

We searched for active haematology societies in LMICs in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

We contacted attendees from LMICs at the 2016 BSH international congress, and we asked respondents about active haematology societies in their region. We conducted internet searches and contacted haematologists and transfusion specialists in large teaching hospitals in LMICs.

We shortlisted LMIC haematology societies for our 2017 pilot scheme based on pre-defined criteria. We invited the Ghanaian Society of Haematology (GHASH) and the Haematology and Oncology Society of Africa (HOSA) to take part.

Previous attendees:

2017: Dr Hume Ahmad - Accra, Ghana - Challenging diagnostic cases in anaemia.

Dr Ahmad - Tutorial with haematology residents - 1 December 2017     Dr Ahmad with GHASH delegates

2017: Dr Maadh Aldouri - Nairobi, Kenya - Treating lymphoma in low resource settings.

Dr Aldouri with trainees in Kenya    Dr Aldouri Hosa

2018: Dr Noemi Roy - Cairo, Egypt - Dyserythropoesis and the use of NGS in rare anaemias.

2019: Dr Anita Hill - Colombo, Sri Lanka - Update in PNH.

2019: Dr Ben Kennedy - Bangkok, Thailand - Update in CLL.

2021: Dr Jecko Thachil - South Africa - Coagulopathy and COVID-19.

2021: Dr Nandini Sadasivam - Vietnam - Update in care for patients with thalassaemia.

2022: Dr Richard Dillon - Egypt - Molecularly guided interventions to prevent relapse in AML.

2022: Dr Keith Gomez - Ghana - Anticoagulation: challenging cases.

2023: Dr Bill Grey - Thailand - Targeting protein homeostasis to eradicate acute myeloid leukaemia stem cells and protect health issues.

2023: Miss Lucy Wheeler - Egypt - MRD in acute leukaemia: a 'different from normal' approach.

2024: Dr Jecko Thachil – Vietnam – Von Willebrand disease