{"id":1263,"date":"2022-11-02T09:51:32","date_gmt":"2022-11-02T09:51:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/?p=1263"},"modified":"2022-11-02T09:51:32","modified_gmt":"2022-11-02T09:51:32","slug":"chief-executive-officers-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/chief-executive-officers-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Chief Executive Officer\u2019s Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"single-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1236\" class=\"elementor elementor-1236\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-44e526e7 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-items-stretch elementor-section-content-middle elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"44e526e7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-49d06b91\" data-id=\"49d06b91\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49eaceb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"49eaceb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.8.0 - 30-10-2022 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#818a91;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#818a91;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>OUR BUSINESS<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb199db elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"cb199db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.8.0 - 30-10-2022 *\/\n.elementor-widget-divider{--divider-border-style:none;--divider-border-width:1px;--divider-color:#2c2c2c;--divider-icon-size:20px;--divider-element-spacing:10px;--divider-pattern-height:24px;--divider-pattern-size:20px;--divider-pattern-url:none;--divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(--divider-element-spacing);-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(--divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:\"\";border-bottom:0;-webkit-box-flex:1;-ms-flex-positive:1;flex-grow:1;border-top:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{-webkit-box-flex:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-negative:100;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{-webkit-box-flex:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-negative:100;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-top:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern{--divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider--view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider--view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(--divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(--divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing{--divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider--bg-round{--divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(--container-widget-width,100%)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13ea8918 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"13ea8918\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.8.0 - 30-10-2022 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">CHIEF EXECUTIVE <strong>OFFICER'S REVIEW <\/strong><\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-2cae4ec6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"2cae4ec6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-48ff6ea0\" data-id=\"48ff6ea0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60b57393 elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"60b57393\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-quote-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5fa83377\" data-id=\"5fa83377\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c421c5a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7c421c5a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The old adage that \u201ctime flies\u201d could not be truer as I reflect on the 2021\/2022 year that has just passed. The year under review marked my first full year as SANBS Chief Executive Officer (CEO).\u00a0 It has been a very busy and eventful year, with the SANBS team once again going the extra mile to achieve our purpose of being \u201cTrusted to save lives\u201d.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1142d801 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1142d801\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRavi Reddy, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3115174c\" data-id=\"3115174c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b009f70 e-transform elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6b009f70\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_transform_flipX_effect&quot;:&quot;transform&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.8.0 - 30-10-2022 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"440\" height=\"548\" src=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/RAV-2.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/RAV-2.png 440w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/RAV-2-241x300.png 241w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 440px) 100vw, 440px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9013abd elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-content-middle elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"9013abd\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1f605de\" data-id=\"1f605de\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78c1e7e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"78c1e7e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>OUR BUSINESS<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61b1e00 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"61b1e00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d88582 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0d88582\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">CHIEF EXECUTIVE <strong>OFFICER'S REVIEW <\/strong><\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-ec16f10 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"ec16f10\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-8fe29cd\" data-id=\"8fe29cd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f13b4f elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"1f13b4f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-quote-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-44ff6da\" data-id=\"44ff6da\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f9f11a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8f9f11a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The old adage that \u201ctime flies\u201d could not be truer as I reflect on the 2021\/2022 year that has just passed. The year under review marked my first full year as SANBS Chief Executive Officer (CEO).\u00a0 It has been a very busy and eventful year, with the SANBS team once again going the extra mile to achieve our purpose of being \u201cTrusted to save lives\u201d.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c6ab78 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0c6ab78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRavi Reddy, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5aabb18 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-content-middle elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"5aabb18\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ba5ba7d\" data-id=\"ba5ba7d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ad96c0 e-transform elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1ad96c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_transform_flipX_effect&quot;:&quot;transform&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"440\" height=\"548\" src=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/RAV-2.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/RAV-2.png 440w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/RAV-2-241x300.png 241w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 440px) 100vw, 440px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-31d6dded elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"31d6dded\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6dd29f24\" data-id=\"6dd29f24\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6197f83d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6197f83d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Introduction<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76e718e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"76e718e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Covid-19 pandemic impacted our staff and operational activities throughout the year, particularly in November and December of 2021 with the Omicron variant. We continued to monitor our environment, adapted how we work and made tweaks to our business model to ensure a safe environment for donors and staff while maintaining our supply of blood products to meet demand.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a0fc258 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"a0fc258\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-baea9ce\" data-id=\"baea9ce\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-efe199e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"efe199e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Introduction<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a845ef elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2a845ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Covid-19 pandemic impacted our staff and operational activities throughout the year, particularly in November and December of 2021 with the Omicron variant. We continued to monitor our environment, adapted how we work and made tweaks to our business model to ensure a safe environment for donors and staff while maintaining our supply of blood products to meet demand.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-12b0074 elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"12b0074\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6afba37\" data-id=\"6afba37\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c399f77 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c399f77\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Leadership changes<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3549673 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3549673\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>There were also a number of new executive appointments during 2021\/2022. Dr Karin van den Berg was appointed as Medical Director in May 2021. In addition, we revisited our targeted operating model and, based on the growing complexity of the core value chain, it was decided that the vacant Chief Operations Officer (COO) role was to be replaced by two executive roles, with one role focusing on Donor Services and Corporate Marketing and the other role focusing on Transfusion Medicine and Technical Services (Blood Processing, Testing, Transport Logistics and Issuing of Blood). In November, Ms Siemi Prithvi Raj was appointed as Executive, Transfusion Donor Services and Marketing and Dr Marion Vermeulen was appointed as Executive, Transfusion Medicine and Technical Services. Both Siemi and Marion have extensive experience in Blood Transfusion and served in Senior Manager positions prior to their appointment. Ms Tshepi Maesela, our Chief Financial Officer (CFO), left SANBS in October 2021 after four years of service and I would like to thank Tshepi for her contribution to SANBS. Ms Rianda Kruger was appointed as Acting CFO in October 2021. I would also like to thank Rianda for her stepping into this role and for her contribution.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fd39666 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"fd39666\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0d07d87\" data-id=\"0d07d87\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a87a99 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3a87a99\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Leadership changes<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4890d4f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4890d4f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>There were also a number of new executive appointments during 2021\/2022. Dr Karin van den Berg was appointed as Medical Director in May 2021. In addition, we revisited our targeted operating model and, based on the growing complexity of the core value chain, it was decided that the vacant Chief Operations Officer (COO) role was to be replaced by two executive roles, with one role focusing on Donor Services and Corporate Marketing and the other role focusing on Transfusion Medicine and Technical Services (Blood Processing, Testing, Transport Logistics and Issuing of Blood). In November, Ms Siemi Prithvi Raj was appointed as Executive, Transfusion Donor Services and Marketing and Dr Marion Vermeulen was appointed as Executive, Transfusion Medicine and Technical Services. Both Siemi and Marion have extensive experience in Blood Transfusion and served in Senior Manager positions prior to their appointment. Ms Tshepi Maesela, our Chief Financial Officer (CFO), left SANBS in October 2021 after four years of service and I would like to thank Tshepi for her contribution to SANBS. Ms Rianda Kruger was appointed as Acting CFO in October 2021. I would also like to thank Rianda for her stepping into this role and for her contribution.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bf90fb4 elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"bf90fb4\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a543806\" data-id=\"a543806\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bf8fc4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3bf8fc4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">SANBS celebrates 21 years<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de5bce8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"de5bce8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The end of March 2022 marked a significant milestone for SANBS as it celebrated the 21<sup>st<\/sup> anniversary of the establishment of SANBS on 1 April 2001. SANBS was formed following the amalgamation of seven regional blood services, except for the Western Cape province, which retained its own blood service. Many staff, including myself, have been part of this 21-year journey of SANBS and, like with any family or organisation, there have been both challenges and significant achievements.\u00a0 A key challenge in the early years was taking into consideration different cultures, practises, procedures and systems, and looking for best practice to develop a roadmap for \u201cOne SANBS\u201d.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-623eafa elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"623eafa\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-984c2a0\" data-id=\"984c2a0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e1c79c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1e1c79c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">SANBS celebrates 21 years<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fc83df elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7fc83df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The end of March 2022 marked a significant milestone for SANBS as it celebrated the 21<sup>st<\/sup> anniversary of the establishment of SANBS on 1 April 2001. SANBS was formed following the amalgamation of seven regional blood services, except for the Western Cape province, which retained its own blood service. Many staff, including myself, have been part of this 21-year journey of SANBS and, like with any family or organisation, there have been both challenges and significant achievements.\u00a0 A key challenge in the early years was taking into consideration different cultures, practises, procedures and systems, and looking for best practice to develop a roadmap for \u201cOne SANBS\u201d.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1d25012 elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"1d25012\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-23fbc22\" data-id=\"23fbc22\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb94c3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cb94c3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Significant achievements<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-e12d184 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"e12d184\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-f278f83\" data-id=\"f278f83\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35c1c94 elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-adv-accordion\" data-id=\"35c1c94\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-adv-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div class=\"eael-adv-accordion\" id=\"eael-adv-accordion-35c1c94\" data-accordion-id=\"35c1c94\" data-accordion-type=\"accordion\" data-toogle-speed=\"300\">\n    <div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n                <div id=\"there-have-been-many-highlights-and-some-of-the-notable-ones-that-come-to-mind-include\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"5631\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-5631\"><div class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">There have been many highlights and some of the notable ones that come to mind include:<\/div><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-toggle fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-5631\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"there-have-been-many-highlights-and-some-of-the-notable-ones-that-come-to-mind-include\"><p><ul class=\"align-list\">\n \t<li>Implementation of Individual Donation Nucleic Acid Testing (ID-NAT) in 2005 \u2013 SANBS became the first Blood Service in the world to implement this technology on such a large scale and this was definitely a game changer in improving blood safety.<\/li>\n \t<li>Strengthening of our Donor structures across the Zones and Branches to ensure that blood donors are more involved in working with SANBS to improve the donor experience.<\/li>\n \t<li>Rolling out of emergency blood fridges to more than 400 hospitals, mostly in rural areas as part of the \u201csaving mothers, saving babies\u201d initiative.<\/li>\n \t<li>Increasing blood donations from black donors (from 4% of the donor base in 2005 to 46% of donor base in 2021).<\/li>\n \t<li>Significant contribution to research both internationally and locally with many publications in peer reviewed journals and presentations at congresses.<\/li>\n \t<li>Significant focus on staff development resulting in personal growth, staff retention and internal promotions.<\/li>\n \t<li>Innovation and introduction of new services \u2013 cellular therapy, eye serum.<\/li>\n \t<li>Early implementation of blood bank automation from 2008 onwards.<\/li>\n \t<li>Piloting the use of drones to transport blood.<\/li>\n \t<li>Commissioning the Mount Edgecombe\u00a0building and introducing the \u201cJourney of Blood\u201d concept.<\/li>\n \t<li>Collaboration with research partners, on a ground-breaking Convalescent Plasma Clinical Trial which enabled the treatment of Covid-19 patients locally.<\/li>\n \t<li>Implementing the #Ironstrong programme which involves ferritin testing for whole blood donors to assist in the monitoring of individual donor iron stores, enabling us to offer iron tablets to our donors to replenish the iron lost through blood donation.<\/li>\n \t<li>Building a resilient and sustainable blood service.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/p><\/div>\n                <\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94f77ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"94f77ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>These are just some of many efforts we have been involved in over the past 21 years. It has been a journey of challenges and triumphs, but at the heart of it all is a dedicated workforce which enables us to continue contributing to the healthcare sector of this country. Upskilling our staff is a huge priority area. We invest in the continuous development of our people to ensure we create employees fit for the future while we continue to build a sustainable blood service.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>We remain committed to our mandate of providing trusted blood products and services to all patients at a world class level of cost and quality while innovating new treatments to enhance human healthcare.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>We will always embrace challenges because we know they make us better and stronger in our resolve.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fdb3fad elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"fdb3fad\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0b29d06\" data-id=\"0b29d06\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52a34d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"52a34d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Significant achievements<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-ec35696 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"ec35696\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-f745069\" data-id=\"f745069\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-469278b elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-adv-accordion\" data-id=\"469278b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-adv-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div class=\"eael-adv-accordion\" id=\"eael-adv-accordion-469278b\" data-accordion-id=\"469278b\" data-accordion-type=\"accordion\" data-toogle-speed=\"300\">\n    <div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n                <div id=\"there-have-been-many-highlights-and-some-of-the-notable-ones-that-come-to-mind-include\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"7401\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-7401\"><div class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">There have been many highlights and some of the notable ones that come to mind include:<\/div><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-toggle fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-7401\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"there-have-been-many-highlights-and-some-of-the-notable-ones-that-come-to-mind-include\"><p><ul class=\"align-list\">\n \t<li>Implementation of Individual Donation Nucleic Acid Testing (ID-NAT) in 2005 \u2013 SANBS became the first Blood Service in the world to implement this technology on such a large scale and this was definitely a game changer in improving blood safety.<\/li>\n \t<li>Strengthening of our Donor structures across the Zones and Branches to ensure that blood donors are more involved in working with SANBS to improve the donor experience.<\/li>\n \t<li>Rolling out of emergency blood fridges to more than 400 hospitals, mostly in rural areas as part of the \u201csaving mothers, saving babies\u201d initiative.<\/li>\n \t<li>Increasing blood donations from black donors (from 4% of the donor base in 2005 to 46% of donor base in 2021).<\/li>\n \t<li>Significant contribution to research both internationally and locally with many publications in peer reviewed journals and presentations at congresses.<\/li>\n \t<li>Significant focus on staff development resulting in personal growth, staff retention and internal promotions.<\/li>\n \t<li>Innovation and introduction of new services \u2013 cellular therapy, eye serum.<\/li>\n \t<li>Early implementation of blood bank automation from 2008 onwards.<\/li>\n \t<li>Piloting the use of drones to transport blood.<\/li>\n \t<li>Commissioning the Mount Edgecombe\u00a0building and introducing the \u201cJourney of Blood\u201d concept.<\/li>\n \t<li>Collaboration with research partners, on a ground-breaking Convalescent Plasma Clinical Trial which enabled the treatment of Covid-19 patients locally.<\/li>\n \t<li>Implementing the #Ironstrong programme which involves ferritin testing for whole blood donors to assist in the monitoring of individual donor iron stores, enabling us to offer iron tablets to our donors to replenish the iron lost through blood donation.<\/li>\n \t<li>Building a resilient and sustainable blood service.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/p><\/div>\n                <\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ad5ba5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9ad5ba5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>These are just some of many efforts we have been involved in over the past 21 years. It has been a journey of challenges and triumphs, but at the heart of it all is a dedicated workforce which enables us to continue contributing to the healthcare sector of this country. Upskilling our staff is a huge priority area. We invest in the continuous development of our people to ensure we create employees fit for the future while we continue to build a sustainable blood service.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>We remain committed to our mandate of providing trusted blood products and services to all patients at a world class level of cost and quality while innovating new treatments to enhance human healthcare.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>We will always embrace challenges because we know they make us better and stronger in our resolve.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fcfb1f1 elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"fcfb1f1\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3a4e3b3\" data-id=\"3a4e3b3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1903de elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d1903de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Operating Context<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-bc3eed6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"bc3eed6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-b25e308\" data-id=\"b25e308\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-830dde3 elementor-flip-box--effect-flip elementor-flip-box--direction-up elementor-widget elementor-widget-flip-box\" data-id=\"830dde3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"flip-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/plugins\/elementor-pro\/assets\/css\/widget-flip-box.min.css\">\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__front\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-570x570.png 570w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-500x500.png 500w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-1000x1000.png 1000w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-700x700.png 700w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-650x650.png 650w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCovid-19\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__back\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Covid-19 pandemic continued to impact on SANBS operations during the 2021\/2022 financial year and the past 12 months continued to be challenging.  We had to constantly monitor our internal and external environment and be agile in our responses to changing levels of restrictions and infections. <br><br>\n\nThe Omicron variant that led to the 4th wave in November\/December 2021 had a significant impact on our operations as a result of a number of staff being off sick and also many blood drives being cancelled. We had to implement restrictive issue (cutback) of Group O blood to preserve stocks during December and early January. \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-c179629\" data-id=\"c179629\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7a54f9 elementor-flip-box--effect-flip elementor-flip-box--direction-up elementor-widget elementor-widget-flip-box\" data-id=\"d7a54f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"flip-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__front\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-570x570.png 570w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-500x500.png 500w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-1000x1000.png 1000w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-700x700.png 700w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-650x650.png 650w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBlood collections\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__back\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOur Group O blood collections for the year was at 95.7% of target and our apheresis platelet collections was at 107.1% of target. The latter achievement was due to several initiatives that were implemented nationally to increase access to donors. Challenges with the decline in the donor base were addressed with the gradual lifting of restrictions, and the donor panel was increased by almost 50 000 donors over the period June 2021 to May 2022. <br><br>The biggest impact is evident in the growth of the youth and the black donor population.  The overall recovery in the donor panel is largely due to increased access to schools and businesses, as Covid-19 restrictions were progressively relaxed. I want to thank our regular blood donors once again for continuing to give the gift of life and the many other stakeholders that assist SANBS in sourcing blood drives and promoting blood donations.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-c79ef5f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"c79ef5f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-7261796\" data-id=\"7261796\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85b84a6 elementor-flip-box--effect-flip elementor-flip-box--direction-up elementor-widget elementor-widget-flip-box\" data-id=\"85b84a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"flip-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__front\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-570x570.png 570w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-500x500.png 500w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-1000x1000.png 1000w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-700x700.png 700w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-650x650.png 650w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOur staff\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__back\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Remote Working Policy was implemented in 2021, enabling staff to work remotely where possible for up to three days a week and going to the office for two days. This arrangement has worked well, affording flexibility to staff while ensuring that some time is spent at the office to maintain social cohesion and for teams to interact with one another. The moratorium on the appointment of staff, which had been in place the prior year, was gradually lifted, initially with the appointment of staff on a fixed term basis, followed by permanent appointments for key vacant positions. People development continues to be a key focus area with many opportunities being afforded to staff to study and bursaries also being granted to children of qualifying staff members. This has led to several internal staff being promoted and appointed to senior positions.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-ac8126b\" data-id=\"ac8126b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-738876b elementor-flip-box--effect-flip elementor-flip-box--direction-up elementor-widget elementor-widget-flip-box\" data-id=\"738876b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"flip-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__front\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-570x570.png 570w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-500x500.png 500w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-1000x1000.png 1000w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-700x700.png 700w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-650x650.png 650w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tResearch and Development\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__back\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tResearch and Development remains a priority and through the Research, Advisory and Development (RAD) Academy we hosted several online webinars and learning caf\u00e9s, covering a wide range of scientific and non-scientific topics. These educational sessions are open to internal staff and external stakeholders and have been very well received. <br><br>We continued to perform follow-up Covid-19 sero-prevalence studies on our donors to determine the percentage of donors who were exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and developed antibodies. This was extrapolated to the general population and continues to contribute significantly to the public health data in South Africa and globally.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-8db3fc5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"8db3fc5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6f8ec3d\" data-id=\"6f8ec3d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38d5dbb elementor-flip-box--effect-flip elementor-flip-box--direction-up elementor-widget elementor-widget-flip-box\" data-id=\"38d5dbb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"flip-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__front\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-570x570.png 570w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-500x500.png 500w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-1000x1000.png 1000w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-700x700.png 700w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-650x650.png 650w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLeveraging technology\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__back\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA major multi-year project is the implementation of the new Blood Establishment Computer System (BECS) in partnership with our service provider, MAK-SYSTEM. There were some challenges encountered during the year which have now been resolved and the go-live date is planned for April 2023. There will be a number of new innovative features once we go live, the most exciting of which is the mobile donor application which will enable SANBS to improve the donor experience. Our laboratories continue to function well and are all accredited to ISO 15189 standards. The roll-out of new instruments for blood bank automation was implemented in 2021 following an extensive evaluation of available instruments and this roll-out is progressing well, despite some problems in procuring the instruments due to global supply chain challenges.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-e8835e8\" data-id=\"e8835e8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0ccb3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b0ccb3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-test.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-test.png 650w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-test-300x208.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b29b84a elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"b29b84a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7f3b6b4\" data-id=\"7f3b6b4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62d96d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"62d96d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Operating Context<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-43f05cb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"43f05cb\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-937f436\" data-id=\"937f436\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64db076 elementor-flip-box--effect-flip elementor-flip-box--direction-up elementor-widget elementor-widget-flip-box\" data-id=\"64db076\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"flip-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__front\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-570x570.png 570w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-500x500.png 500w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-1000x1000.png 1000w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-700x700.png 700w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid-650x650.png 650w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/covid.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCovid-19\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__back\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Covid-19 pandemic continued to impact on SANBS operations during the 2021\/2022 financial year and the past 12 months continued to be challenging.  We had to constantly monitor our internal and external environment and be agile in our responses to changing levels of restrictions and infections. <br><br>\n\nThe Omicron variant that led to the 4th wave in November\/December 2021 had a significant impact on our operations as a result of a number of staff being off sick and also many blood drives being cancelled. We had to implement restrictive issue (cutback) of Group O blood to preserve stocks during December and early January. \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-efb13c3\" data-id=\"efb13c3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b599fe elementor-flip-box--effect-flip elementor-flip-box--direction-up elementor-widget elementor-widget-flip-box\" data-id=\"7b599fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"flip-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__front\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-570x570.png 570w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-500x500.png 500w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-1000x1000.png 1000w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-700x700.png 700w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection-650x650.png 650w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-collection.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBlood collections\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__back\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOur Group O blood collections for the year was at 95.7% of target and our apheresis platelet collections was at 107.1% of target. The latter achievement was due to several initiatives that were implemented nationally to increase access to donors. Challenges with the decline in the donor base were addressed with the gradual lifting of restrictions, and the donor panel was increased by almost 50 000 donors over the period June 2021 to May 2022. <br><br>The biggest impact is evident in the growth of the youth and the black donor population.  The overall recovery in the donor panel is largely due to increased access to schools and businesses, as Covid-19 restrictions were progressively relaxed. I want to thank our regular blood donors once again for continuing to give the gift of life and the many other stakeholders that assist SANBS in sourcing blood drives and promoting blood donations.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-8aee563 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"8aee563\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-f9aeec1\" data-id=\"f9aeec1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7011100 elementor-flip-box--effect-flip elementor-flip-box--direction-up elementor-widget elementor-widget-flip-box\" data-id=\"7011100\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"flip-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__front\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-570x570.png 570w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-500x500.png 500w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-1000x1000.png 1000w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-700x700.png 700w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon-650x650.png 650w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/staff-icon.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOur staff\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__back\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Remote Working Policy was implemented in 2021, enabling staff to work remotely where possible for up to three days a week and going to the office for two days. This arrangement has worked well, affording flexibility to staff while ensuring that some time is spent at the office to maintain social cohesion and for teams to interact with one another. The moratorium on the appointment of staff, which had been in place the prior year, was gradually lifted, initially with the appointment of staff on a fixed term basis, followed by permanent appointments for key vacant positions. People development continues to be a key focus area with many opportunities being afforded to staff to study and bursaries also being granted to children of qualifying staff members. This has led to several internal staff being promoted and appointed to senior positions.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-0a81e10\" data-id=\"0a81e10\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f03288 elementor-flip-box--effect-flip elementor-flip-box--direction-up elementor-widget elementor-widget-flip-box\" data-id=\"3f03288\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"flip-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__front\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-570x570.png 570w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-500x500.png 500w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-1000x1000.png 1000w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-700x700.png 700w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon-650x650.png 650w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/research-icon.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tResearch and Development\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__back\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tResearch and Development remains a priority and through the Research, Advisory and Development (RAD) Academy we hosted several online webinars and learning caf\u00e9s, covering a wide range of scientific and non-scientific topics. These educational sessions are open to internal staff and external stakeholders and have been very well received. <br><br>We continued to perform follow-up Covid-19 sero-prevalence studies on our donors to determine the percentage of donors who were exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and developed antibodies. This was extrapolated to the general population and continues to contribute significantly to the public health data in South Africa and globally.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-eb8e1bb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"eb8e1bb\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-bbb1e4d\" data-id=\"bbb1e4d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6dfd4a7 elementor-flip-box--effect-flip elementor-flip-box--direction-up elementor-widget elementor-widget-flip-box\" data-id=\"6dfd4a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"flip-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__front\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-570x570.png 570w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-500x500.png 500w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-1000x1000.png 1000w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-700x700.png 700w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology-650x650.png 650w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/technology.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLeveraging technology\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer elementor-flip-box__back\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-flip-box__layer__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA major multi-year project is the implementation of the new Blood Establishment Computer System (BECS) in partnership with our service provider, MAK-SYSTEM. There were some challenges encountered during the year which have now been resolved and the go-live date is planned for April 2023. There will be a number of new innovative features once we go live, the most exciting of which is the mobile donor application which will enable SANBS to improve the donor experience. Our laboratories continue to function well and are all accredited to ISO 15189 standards. The roll-out of new instruments for blood bank automation was implemented in 2021 following an extensive evaluation of available instruments and this roll-out is progressing well, despite some problems in procuring the instruments due to global supply chain challenges.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-ff4aaa5\" data-id=\"ff4aaa5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51aa1d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"51aa1d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-test.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-test.png 650w, https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/blood-test-300x208.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c5c4065 elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"c5c4065\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1fe9cf0\" data-id=\"1fe9cf0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6d4d03 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c6d4d03\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Highlights for 2021\/2022<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-a26b6af elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"a26b6af\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1d70e6f\" data-id=\"1d70e6f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-74cd5b9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-adv-accordion\" data-id=\"74cd5b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-adv-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div class=\"eael-adv-accordion\" id=\"eael-adv-accordion-74cd5b9\" data-accordion-id=\"74cd5b9\" data-accordion-type=\"accordion\" data-toogle-speed=\"300\">\n    <div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n                <div id=\"key-highlights-for-20212022-include\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"1221\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1221\"><div class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Key highlights for 2021\/2022 include:<\/div><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-toggle fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1221\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"key-highlights-for-20212022-include\"><p><ul class=\"align-list\">\n \t<li>Collection of apheresis platelets to meet increasing demand for this product was a priority and it is pleasing to note that the actual collections was 107.1% of target.<\/li>\n \t<li>Data generated from the SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence studies contributed to Public Health information on the overall infection of blood donors extrapolated to the South African population.<\/li>\n \t<li>Achievement of B-BBEE level 4 and a significant increase in points earned for employing disabled staff as well as points earned for Supplier and Enterprise development.<\/li>\n \t<li>Increasing our donor base, particularly our youth and black donors, following a significant decrease in the donor base in 2020\/2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions.<\/li>\n \t<li>Planning for and commissioning the self-contained four-bed mobile donor unit with its own power and water supply. This will be rolled out in 2022 and increase donor convenience.<\/li>\n \t<li>The start of the roll out of the new blood bank automation instruments in our 83 blood banks, despite global supply chain challenges.<\/li>\n \t<li>Our supply of fresh frozen plasma to National Bioproducts Institute exceeded target, thus contributing to supply of plasma derived from medicinal products to patients.<\/li>\n \t<li>The roll out of the #Ironstrong programme where donors were given iron tablets and serum ferritin was monitored. This is an important initiative to monitor and maintain donor health.<\/li>\n \t<li>Expansion of bedside clinical apheresis service and stem cell collections to 78 hospitals and &gt;450 patients with approximately 1 700 procedures being done.<\/li>\n \t<li>More than 20 publications in peer reviewed journals, as well as presentations at congresses and hosting of virtual webinars.<\/li>\n \t<li>Significant progress made in the roll out of the ethics and culture programme to staff, with ethics ambassadors being appointed.<\/li>\n \t<li>Progress made with the BECS project with go-live planned for 2023.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/p><\/div>\n                <\/div><div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n                <div id=\"financial-highlights\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"1222\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1222\"><div class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Financial Highlights<\/div><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-toggle fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1222\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"financial-highlights\"><p>This has been another challenging year for SANBS as we operated in a very difficult economic environment both local and globally. Towards the latter part of the financial year, the global supply chain challenges, weakening of the Rand to the US Dollar and increasing fuel prices contributed to significant pressure in managing our expenditure.\n<ul class=\"align-list\">\n \t<li>We managed our expenses well and were\u00a0 R87.1m (2.4%)\u00a0 below\u00a0 budget, mainly due to a reduction in consumables as a result of a slight decrease in blood collections and reduced expenses for travel and meetings during the Covid-19 restrictions.<\/li>\n \t<li>Revenue (excluding other income) was R3.6bn compared to the budget of R3.8bn and prior year of R3.2bn.<\/li>\n \t<li>A net surplus of R172.0m was achieved versus the budgeted R63.0m for the year (a R109.0m positive variance). This was largely due to savings in expenses and a reduced provision for doubtful debt.<\/li>\n \t<li>Debtors days decreased from 161 days to 155 days during the year, mostly due to a debt write-off approved by the Board. Net cash reserves increased from R1.8bn in 2021 to R1.9bn in 2022.<\/li>\n \t<li>The Debtors Collection Task Team comprising executives, senior managers and the Finance team met weekly to monitor debt collections and other areas of improvement. This resulted in a number of business improvement initiatives being implemented to streamline the \u201cOrder-to-Collect process\u201d.<\/li>\n \t<li>Strategic partnerships were formed with key suppliers to negotiate better terms and reduced costs.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/p><\/div>\n                <\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6cfee2f elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"6cfee2f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-99e17d1\" data-id=\"99e17d1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a85216b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a85216b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Highlights for 2021\/2022<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-14f48c4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"14f48c4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-91d3b05\" data-id=\"91d3b05\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2a5eaa elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-adv-accordion\" data-id=\"d2a5eaa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-adv-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div class=\"eael-adv-accordion\" id=\"eael-adv-accordion-d2a5eaa\" data-accordion-id=\"d2a5eaa\" data-accordion-type=\"accordion\" data-toogle-speed=\"300\">\n    <div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n                <div id=\"key-highlights-for-20212022-include\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"2201\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2201\"><div class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Key highlights for 2021\/2022 include:<\/div><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-toggle fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2201\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"key-highlights-for-20212022-include\"><p><ul class=\"align-list\">\n \t<li>Collection of apheresis platelets to meet increasing demand for this product was a priority and it is pleasing to note that the actual collections was 107.1% of target.<\/li>\n \t<li>Data generated from the SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence studies contributed to Public Health information on the overall infection of blood donors extrapolated to the South African population.<\/li>\n \t<li>Achievement of B-BBEE level 4 and a significant increase in points earned for employing disabled staff as well as points earned for Supplier and Enterprise development.<\/li>\n \t<li>Increasing our donor base, particularly our youth and black donors, following a significant decrease in the donor base in 2020\/2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions.<\/li>\n \t<li>Planning for and commissioning the self-contained four-bed mobile donor unit with its own power and water supply. This will be rolled out in 2022 and increase donor convenience.<\/li>\n \t<li>The start of the roll out of the new blood bank automation instruments in our 83 blood banks, despite global supply chain challenges.<\/li>\n \t<li>Our supply of fresh frozen plasma to National Bioproducts Institute exceeded target, thus contributing to supply of plasma derived from medicinal products to patients.<\/li>\n \t<li>The roll out of the #Ironstrong programme where donors were given iron tablets and serum ferritin was monitored. This is an important initiative to monitor and maintain donor health.<\/li>\n \t<li>Expansion of bedside clinical apheresis service and stem cell collections to 78 hospitals and &gt;450 patients with approximately 1 700 procedures being done.<\/li>\n \t<li>More than 20 publications in peer reviewed journals, as well as presentations at congresses and hosting of virtual webinars.<\/li>\n \t<li>Significant progress made in the roll out of the ethics and culture programme to staff, with ethics ambassadors being appointed.<\/li>\n \t<li>Progress made with the BECS project with go-live planned for 2023.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/p><\/div>\n                <\/div><div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n                <div id=\"financial-highlights\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"2202\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2202\"><div class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Financial Highlights<\/div><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-toggle fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2202\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"financial-highlights\"><p>This has been another challenging year for SANBS as we operated in a very difficult economic environment both local and globally. Towards the latter part of the financial year, the global supply chain challenges, weakening of the Rand to the US Dollar and increasing fuel prices contributed to significant pressure in managing our expenditure.\n<ul class=\"align-list\">\n \t<li>We managed our expenses well and were\u00a0 R87.1m (2.4%)\u00a0 below\u00a0 budget, mainly due to a reduction in consumables as a result of a slight decrease in blood collections and reduced expenses for travel and meetings during the Covid-19 restrictions.<\/li>\n \t<li>Revenue (excluding other income) was R3.6bn compared to the budget of R3.8bn and prior year of R3.2bn.<\/li>\n \t<li>A net surplus of R172.0m was achieved versus the budgeted R63.0m for the year (a R109.0m positive variance). This was largely due to savings in expenses and a reduced provision for doubtful debt.<\/li>\n \t<li>Debtors days decreased from 161 days to 155 days during the year, mostly due to a debt write-off approved by the Board. Net cash reserves increased from R1.8bn in 2021 to R1.9bn in 2022.<\/li>\n \t<li>The Debtors Collection Task Team comprising executives, senior managers and the Finance team met weekly to monitor debt collections and other areas of improvement. This resulted in a number of business improvement initiatives being implemented to streamline the \u201cOrder-to-Collect process\u201d.<\/li>\n \t<li>Strategic partnerships were formed with key suppliers to negotiate better terms and reduced costs.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/p><\/div>\n                <\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-65e778e elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"65e778e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6a0e0ff\" data-id=\"6a0e0ff\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-deff4fa elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"deff4fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sustainability Highlights<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-e682a0a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"e682a0a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-7078629\" data-id=\"7078629\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-334f3b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-adv-accordion\" data-id=\"334f3b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-adv-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div class=\"eael-adv-accordion\" id=\"eael-adv-accordion-334f3b4\" data-accordion-id=\"334f3b4\" data-accordion-type=\"accordion\" data-toogle-speed=\"300\">\n    <div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n                <div id=\"robust-business-continuity-capability\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"5381\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-5381\"><div class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Robust business continuity capability<\/div><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-toggle fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-5381\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"robust-business-continuity-capability\"><p><ul class=\"align-list\"><li><p>We experienced significant challenges in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and parts of Gauteng during the unrest in July last year. Some of our donor centres, vehicles and infrastructure were damaged and there were severe interruptions to operations as access to our sites was limited and staff could not get to work. Our business continuity plans worked very well and we managed to continue operations and provide blood products and services to hospitals in these regions. In partnership with our contracted courier companies we were able to charter flights to move blood from Gauteng to KZN and then onwards to some of the areas impacted by the unrest. Specimens were also flown from KZN to our laboratories in Johannesburg for testing.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/p><\/div>\n                <\/div><div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n                <div id=\"reducing-our-carbon-footprint\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"5382\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-5382\"><div class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Reducing our carbon footprint<\/div><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-toggle fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-5382\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"reducing-our-carbon-footprint\"><p><p>SANBS was awarded a \u201cNet Zero Carbon Level 1 Base Building Emissions (modelled) As Built\u201d Certification by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) for its Mount Edgecombe Zone Headquarters. This is in addition to the 5-Star Rating Certificate awarded in June 2021 for the site.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>We continue to monitor and reduce our carbon footprint in various areas including travel, waste generation and electricity usage and report on this via dashboards on a monthly basis. We have also made progress with the roll-out of LED bulbs and solar installations at SANBS-owned properties, water monitoring devices and reducing carbon footprint by promoting flexible working arrangements.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>In order to mitigate against the increasing loadshedding and to safeguard business continuity, we have ensured that all our sites have back-up power and have installed generators in our Blood Banks and SANBS-owned sites, especially at those sites where processing and issuing of blood\/blood products occurs. We are continuing with plans for the re-zoning and upgrading of our offices and laboratories in Constantia Kloof and will also implement greening initiatives similar to that implemented at Mount Edgecombe.<\/p><\/p><\/div>\n                <\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-49c63e1 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"49c63e1\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-15e5c16\" data-id=\"15e5c16\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f137fb5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f137fb5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sustainability Highlights<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-4ccde55 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"4ccde55\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-9e18824\" data-id=\"9e18824\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d56273 elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-adv-accordion\" data-id=\"4d56273\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-adv-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div class=\"eael-adv-accordion\" id=\"eael-adv-accordion-4d56273\" data-accordion-id=\"4d56273\" data-accordion-type=\"accordion\" data-toogle-speed=\"300\">\n    <div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n                <div id=\"robust-business-continuity-capability\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"8101\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-8101\"><div class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Robust business continuity capability<\/div><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-toggle fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-8101\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"robust-business-continuity-capability\"><p><ul class=\"align-list\"><li><p>We experienced significant challenges in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and parts of Gauteng during the unrest in July last year. Some of our donor centres, vehicles and infrastructure were damaged and there were severe interruptions to operations as access to our sites was limited and staff could not get to work. Our business continuity plans worked very well and we managed to continue operations and provide blood products and services to hospitals in these regions. In partnership with our contracted courier companies we were able to charter flights to move blood from Gauteng to KZN and then onwards to some of the areas impacted by the unrest. Specimens were also flown from KZN to our laboratories in Johannesburg for testing.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><\/p><\/div>\n                <\/div><div class=\"eael-accordion-list\">\n                <div id=\"reducing-our-carbon-footprint\" class=\"elementor-tab-title eael-accordion-header\" tabindex=\"8102\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-8102\"><div class=\"eael-accordion-tab-title\">Reducing our carbon footprint<\/div><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-toggle fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><\/div><div id=\"elementor-tab-content-8102\" class=\"eael-accordion-content clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"reducing-our-carbon-footprint\"><p><p>SANBS was awarded a \u201cNet Zero Carbon Level 1 Base Building Emissions (modelled) As Built\u201d Certification by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) for its Mount Edgecombe Zone Headquarters. This is in addition to the 5-Star Rating Certificate awarded in June 2021 for the site.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>We continue to monitor and reduce our carbon footprint in various areas including travel, waste generation and electricity usage and report on this via dashboards on a monthly basis. We have also made progress with the roll-out of LED bulbs and solar installations at SANBS-owned properties, water monitoring devices and reducing carbon footprint by promoting flexible working arrangements.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>In order to mitigate against the increasing loadshedding and to safeguard business continuity, we have ensured that all our sites have back-up power and have installed generators in our Blood Banks and SANBS-owned sites, especially at those sites where processing and issuing of blood\/blood products occurs. We are continuing with plans for the re-zoning and upgrading of our offices and laboratories in Constantia Kloof and will also implement greening initiatives similar to that implemented at Mount Edgecombe.<\/p><\/p><\/div>\n                <\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-47fee30 elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"47fee30\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fcc56c3\" data-id=\"fcc56c3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c19a4ef elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c19a4ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Our People and Culture<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-933aa15 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"933aa15\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-3d2f64d\" data-id=\"3d2f64d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec20208 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ec20208\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ongoing investment in our staff<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57f4410 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"57f4410\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-abf6362 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"abf6362\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We deliver on our purpose and mission through our staff and it is imperative that we continue to maintain a strong focus on staff development, talent management, succession planning, performance management and ensuring overall wellness of staff. Our executives and senior managers participated in an Immersive Leadership course where we worked through a number of business simulations and leadership exercises to gain experience of real-life business situations \u2013 this was well received and also assisted in building teamwork and camaraderie amongst the leadership group.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Investment in staff development and continuous professional development is something that we are proud of and we continued to offer employees financial assistance to study for degrees\/diplomas and qualifications of their choice. Staff have an opportunity to access a number of learning initiatives through our intranet and we have subscribed to Bookboon and Udemy platforms to enable access to an extensive selection of e-books and learning material.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Additionally, we partnered with Wits University to offer staff the opportunity to enrol in a number of digital distance learning courses. We continue to provide bursaries to children of our staff to ensure that we play a role in developing leaders of the future. Even though the Covid-19 restrictions were gradually lifted in 2021\/2022, SANBS continues to maintain the remote working arrangement with flexible arrangements for office bound staff.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Our Occupational Health Department continued to monitor health and wellness of staff and provided significant support to staff who were tested positive for Covid-19. We embarked on a number of workshops and initiatives to promote voluntary vaccinations to minimise risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-499927a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"499927a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Outlook\/Looking Ahead<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-0a48a9e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"0a48a9e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-cd0934d\" data-id=\"cd0934d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-804b2a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"804b2a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Some of the key initiatives\/projects looking ahead include:<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b00a47f elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"b00a47f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7602888 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7602888\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"align-list\">\n \t<li>Ensuring that we continue to have an integrated approach as we prepare to implement the new BECS. A key focus area will be change management for staff impacted by the changes.<\/li>\n \t<li>Adapting our business model to the constrained external environment with the aim to carefully manage expenses and keeping tariff increases low.<\/li>\n \t<li>Improving our internal processes with a specific focus on the \u201cOrder-to-Collect process\u201d and \u201cProcure-to-Pay process\u201d.<\/li>\n\n \t<li>Investing in the wellness and development of our staff with a particular focus on work\u2013life balance, strengthening the organisational culture, increasing staff retention and rolling out succession planning initiatives to middle management.<\/li>\n \t<li>Constantly adapting to ensure that we can collect sufficient blood to meet demand and maintain five-days cover. This will include new initiatives to increase the donor base and safeguard good donor health while ensuring that patients receive blood ordered with no cutbacks.<\/li>\n \t<li>Relooking at our platelet product offerings to meet the demand for platelets.<\/li>\n\n \t<li>Collaborating locally, regionally and globally in the spheres of research, innovation and blood safety.<\/li>\n \t<li>Increasing focus on our stakeholders\/regulators to build long-term partnerships.<\/li>\n \t<li>Refining the iHEALTh strategy to ensure a long-term focus beyond 2024.<\/li>\n \t<li>Achieving JACIE accreditation for stem cell collection and processing centres.<\/li>\n \t<li>Continuing with the implementation of the Drone programme and roll out of smart fridges.<\/li>\n \t<li>Implementing ISO 9001 Quality systems in our Support Service departments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d52ab49 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"d52ab49\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e217fb7\" data-id=\"e217fb7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16268c4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"16268c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Our People and Culture<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-5029cb4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"5029cb4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-fee9c57\" data-id=\"fee9c57\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03bc9f5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"03bc9f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ongoing investment in our staff<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb1b306 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"cb1b306\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5b62a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e5b62a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We deliver on our purpose and mission through our staff and it is imperative that we continue to maintain a strong focus on staff development, talent management, succession planning, performance management and ensuring overall wellness of staff. Our executives and senior managers participated in an Immersive Leadership course where we worked through a number of business simulations and leadership exercises to gain experience of real-life business situations \u2013 this was well received and also assisted in building teamwork and camaraderie amongst the leadership group.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Investment in staff development and continuous professional development is something that we are proud of and we continued to offer employees financial assistance to study for degrees\/diplomas and qualifications of their choice. Staff have an opportunity to access a number of learning initiatives through our intranet and we have subscribed to Bookboon and Udemy platforms to enable access to an extensive selection of e-books and learning material.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Additionally, we partnered with Wits University to offer staff the opportunity to enrol in a number of digital distance learning courses. We continue to provide bursaries to children of our staff to ensure that we play a role in developing leaders of the future. Even though the Covid-19 restrictions were gradually lifted in 2021\/2022, SANBS continues to maintain the remote working arrangement with flexible arrangements for office bound staff.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Our Occupational Health Department continued to monitor health and wellness of staff and provided significant support to staff who were tested positive for Covid-19. We embarked on a number of workshops and initiatives to promote voluntary vaccinations to minimise risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd64aba elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fd64aba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Outlook\/<br>Looking <br>Ahead<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-fb4375c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"fb4375c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-046ffe0\" data-id=\"046ffe0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d89858 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3d89858\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Some of the key initiatives\/projects looking ahead include:<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-225b1a3 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"225b1a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5382b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a5382b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"align-list\">\n \t<li>Ensuring that we continue to have an integrated approach as we prepare to implement the new BECS. A key focus area will be change management for staff impacted by the changes.<\/li>\n \t<li>Adapting our business model to the constrained external environment with the aim to carefully manage expenses and keeping tariff increases low.<\/li>\n \t<li>Improving our internal processes with a specific focus on the \u201cOrder-to-Collect process\u201d and \u201cProcure-to-Pay process\u201d.<\/li>\n\n \t<li>Investing in the wellness and development of our staff with a particular focus on work\u2013life balance, strengthening the organisational culture, increasing staff retention and rolling out succession planning initiatives to middle management.<\/li>\n \t<li>Constantly adapting to ensure that we can collect sufficient blood to meet demand and maintain five-days cover. This will include new initiatives to increase the donor base and safeguard good donor health while ensuring that patients receive blood ordered with no cutbacks.<\/li>\n \t<li>Relooking at our platelet product offerings to meet the demand for platelets.<\/li>\n\n \t<li>Collaborating locally, regionally and globally in the spheres of research, innovation and blood safety.<\/li>\n \t<li>Increasing focus on our stakeholders\/regulators to build long-term partnerships.<\/li>\n \t<li>Refining the iHEALTh strategy to ensure a long-term focus beyond 2024.<\/li>\n \t<li>Achieving JACIE accreditation for stem cell collection and processing centres.<\/li>\n \t<li>Continuing with the implementation of the Drone programme and roll out of smart fridges.<\/li>\n \t<li>Implementing ISO 9001 Quality systems in our Support Service departments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0c201ec elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"0c201ec\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-eb509d0\" data-id=\"eb509d0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3862a7c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3862a7c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Conclusion and Appreciation<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17ab7d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"17ab7d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In celebrating our 21-year anniversary as the South African National Blood Service, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all the staff, current and past, that have contributed significantly to ensuring the continued success of SANBS in delivering on our purpose and mission. Without your passion, commitment and loyalty we would not have achieved what we can today be proud of when we reflect on these past 21 years. I want to particularly thank the members of my Executive team for all their support during the year and filling in for me when I was away from the office.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>The SANBS Board has always played a key role in supporting our strategy and ensuring a strong governance framework. I want to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to all the Board and Committee members for your leadership and support over this past year, it is sincerely appreciated.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Our dedicated and regular blood donors remain the cornerstone of ensuring that SANBS can fulfil its mandate. Even though we had a very challenging year with Covid-19 restrictions and limited access to blood drives at work places, our voluntary donors remained steadfast in their commitment to donate, and despite being inconvenienced and having to travel to our donor centres, they continued to heed the call to donate.\u00a0 I also want to express my gratitude and thanks to our volunteers that serve on the various Branch and Zone Donor committees. They play an important role in helping our staff with campaigns and\u00a0 to grow our donor base and I thank you for your time and commitment.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Finally, we have a number of other important stakeholders that play a key role, on a daily basis, in ensuring that SANBS functions effectively. I also want to express my appreciation to all of you for the role you play in ensuring that we can save and improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients annually.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b8b4867 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"b8b4867\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6d0a9de\" data-id=\"6d0a9de\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1de90f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1de90f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Conclusion and Appreciation<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17d826c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"17d826c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In celebrating our 21-year anniversary as the South African National Blood Service, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all the staff, current and past, that have contributed significantly to ensuring the continued success of SANBS in delivering on our purpose and mission. Without your passion, commitment and loyalty we would not have achieved what we can today be proud of when we reflect on these past 21 years. I want to particularly thank the members of my Executive team for all their support during the year and filling in for me when I was away from the office.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>The SANBS Board has always played a key role in supporting our strategy and ensuring a strong governance framework. I want to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to all the Board and Committee members for your leadership and support over this past year, it is sincerely appreciated.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Our dedicated and regular blood donors remain the cornerstone of ensuring that SANBS can fulfil its mandate. Even though we had a very challenging year with Covid-19 restrictions and limited access to blood drives at work places, our voluntary donors remained steadfast in their commitment to donate, and despite being inconvenienced and having to travel to our donor centres, they continued to heed the call to donate.\u00a0 I also want to express my gratitude and thanks to our volunteers that serve on the various Branch and Zone Donor committees. They play an important role in helping our staff with campaigns and\u00a0 to grow our donor base and I thank you for your time and commitment.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Finally, we have a number of other important stakeholders that play a key role, on a daily basis, in ensuring that SANBS functions effectively. I also want to express my appreciation to all of you for the role you play in ensuring that we can save and improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients annually.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"OUR BUSINESS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REVIEW The old adage that \u201ctime flies\u201d could not be truer as I reflect on the 2021\/2022 year that has just passed. The year under review marked my first full year as SANBS Chief Executive Officer (CEO).\u00a0 It has been...","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1263","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-our-business"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1263","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1263"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1263\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1264,"href":"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1263\/revisions\/1264"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1263"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1263"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quiddisites.co.za\/SANBS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1263"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}