ECDC hosts first SoHO-Net Tissues and Cells and MAR Group meeting in Stockholm
On 5 and 6 September, ECDC hosted the first joint SoHO-Net Tissues and Cells (TC) and Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR) group meeting in Stockholm, Sweden.
Five designated experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia attended the two-day meeting. After an introduction to the objectives and structure of the network, participants discussed the current challenges in the field related to donor-derived transmission of communicable diseases.
The meeting presented the first opportunity for the participants from Western Balkans to meet members of SoHO-Net from EU Member States, get to know each other, discuss current challenges, and exchange best practices on SoHO-related topics. During group work sessions, participants identified topics requiring future action by the SoHO-Net TC and MAR groups.
Background
A new public health expert network, SoHO-Net, dedicated to Substances of Human Origin (SoHO), i.e. blood, tissues and cells, medically assisted reproduction, and organs was established by ECDC in 2022. The aim of the network is to encourage cooperation between EU Member States and to help ensure that SoHO are microbially safe by monitoring.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
