The international study visit and exchange of experience between Ukrainian blood system specialists and experts from the Belgian Red Cross-Flanders took place in Mechelen (Kingdom of Belgium) on 17–21 November 2025. The event was organized in cooperation with the Belgian development agency Enabel and the Flemish Red Cross Blood Service.
Tetiana Hedz, Chief Specialist of Division on licensing of blood system entities of Department on licensing of medicines manufacture, blood and certification took part from the side of State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control. The study visit was part of Ukraine's ongoing efforts to harmonize its blood system with European standards and SoHO approaches.
According to the event agenda, the Ukrainian delegation got acquainted with the structure of the Flemish blood system, including the organization of collection, testing, manufacturing and distribution of blood components; donor recruitment strategies and marketing tools for recruitment of volunteer donors; the work of mobile collection points, logistics and blood inventory management; the quality system, audits and approaches to blood surveillance; and the implementation of the requirements of the updated EU Regulation on substances of human origin (SoHO).
The best practices of the Belgian Red Cross Flanders that could be adapted in Ukraine were indicated during the working meetings. The priorities are: improving logistics and planning for mobile blood collection; introducing modern IT solutions for working with donors; developing a quality management system for blood service facilities; harmonizing national procedures with the requirements of the new EU SoHO Regulation.
The visit helped to strengthen the partnership between Ukraine and Belgium in the field of blood safety and laid the foundation for long-term cooperation.