BSH Global Speakers

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: Wednesday 17 June, 2026.

The South African Society of Haematology (SASH) are looking for a speaker for their meeting, taking place 17-18^th September 2026, at the University of Natal in Durban, South Africa.

The meeting will be focusing on integrated pathology and advances in pathology.

The topics they are looking to cover are:

·         Digitisation in Haematology (morphology, bone marrow slides) 

South Africa has many laboratories that are rural or district level laboratories that do not have on site pathologists, nor quick access to referring laboratories. This setting would benefit from digitisation, which is slowly being introduced in SA. 

·         Digital imaging in EQA (and/or Teaching) 

South Africa has introduced a national EQA programme for PB morphology. However, there have been quality challenges (quality, consistency of pathology) with the physical slides. This led to the use of images on a USB; however, the quality of these images and the level of testing (testing pathologists, haematology technologists or clin path technologists) have also been questioned. The public sector in SA would benefit from a haematologist with Peripheral blood morphology EQA expertise. 

If this 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. 

Deadline: Wednesday 17 June, 2026.