The aim of the Non-Thesis Master’s Program in Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine offered by the Graduate School of Health Sciences at Acıbadem University is to train qualified professionals who will meet the needs of the sector in a field that has not yet become a formal specialty area in Türkiye and therefore lacks dedicated educational programs.
According to the Law No. 5624 on Blood and Blood Products and the related regulation, it is stipulated that in order to be responsible for any blood service unit, one must be either a specialist physician or a general practitioner who has completed a master’s degree in this field. Under the new structure established in accordance with this law, 15 Regional Blood Centers will be established and a Transfusion Center will be required in all inpatient treatment institutions. As a result, approximately 1,500 transfusion centers will be licensed.
A significant portion of inpatient healthcare institutions are located in Istanbul, where the high number and diversity of patients highlight the intensive demand for such services. Blood banking and transfusion medicine is a multidisciplinary field and therefore requires specialized education. The appointment of specialist physicians to take responsibility in these units currently fills a gap in the new structure; however, over time, the need for physicians who have received specialized education in this field, as well as trained healthcare personnel, will continue to increase. In addition, providing master’s level education to general practitioners will also create new professional opportunities for them.
Currently, Master’s programs in Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine are offered at only two university hospitals in Türkiye, which is insufficient to meet the growing demand. With the recent legal regulations, this need is expected to increase further. Through this program, Acıbadem University aims to take a leading role in increasing the number of qualified healthcare professionals trained in this field and is the first foundation university in Türkiye to offer a master’s program in this area.
Prof. Dr. Fehime Aksungar
Program Director
