Arwa Al-Riyami Presents Key Findings: AI Use in Transfusion Medicine is Nascent but Growing in the EMNA Region
Arwa Al-Riyami, Senior Consultant Hematopathologist, Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapy at the University Medical City Oman, posted on LinkedIn:
“New publication: Artificial intelligence and big data in transfusion medicine: An exploratory assessment of status in the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa (EMNA) region
Our regional survey gathered responses from transfusion medicine professionals including senior TM physicians and medical directors working in national or regional services, with over half affiliated to academic institutions.
Only 24% reported using AI in daily practice—mainly in the past two years and mostly for administrative tasks, education and research. Clinical use remains limited, though some apply AI in donor recruitment and management. Generative AI tools dominated (92%), and most users were self-taught. While 68% expect AI to have a significant impact on future TM practice, major barriers include lack of regulatory guidance, limited expertise, cost, IT limitations, and concerns around reliability, validation, ethics and privacy.
Big data is used in 36% of institutions, primarily for inventory forecasting, optimizing blood use and monitoring transfusion practices. Most rely on LIS data, donor databases and electronic health records. Key challenges include limited expertise in data management, insufficient storage infrastructure and difficulties integrating and analyzing large datasets.
These findings highlight strong interest but also substantial barriers in using AI and Big Data in the region. Advancing such innovations will require investment in regulation, workforce training and robust technical infrastructure.
Many thanks to all survey participants for sharing their valuable insights
For access here.”
Title: Use of artificial intelligence and big data in transfusion medicine: An exploratory assessment of status in the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa region
Author: Arwa Al-Riyami, Suha Herjes

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