This areas of the National Blood Transfusion Laboratories, is divided in two sections the compatibility testing laboratory and the serology laboratory. These two sections are not structurally separated. The main difference between them is that; the serology laboratory offers a service (performs tests and issues results), while the compatability testing labs offers a product (blood products) 24 hours a day. However the principle of all the tests carried out in these sections is the same.

TESTS PERFORMED

The following is a list of all the test carried out in the both sections:
- Blood grouping (forward and reverse)
- Antibody screening
- Antibody identification
- Antibody titre
- Direct antihuman globulin test
- Crossmatch testing

As already mentioned above the main role of the compatibility testing laboratory is to issue blood products. These blood products are:
- Red cell concentrate (leuco depleted red cell concentrate)
- Filtered fresh frozen plasma
- Filtered frozen plasma
- Pooled platelets
- Cryoprecipitate

In order to issue these products this laboratory has to perform certain pre transfusion tests. In the case of plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitateonly a blood group of the recipient (patient) is required. When red cell concentrate are requested a blood group and a cross matcfh has to be carried out; these two tests are collectively known as compatability testing. These tests are done to ensure that the products issued for transfusion are safe for the patient.

The service of the compatibility laboratory is used by patients who require blood or one of its products like: patients with acute blood loss, chronic blood loss, or patients with haematological problems and also patients who are going to undergo surgery.
While the serology laboratory offers its service to the general public like in the case of blood grouping; it also screens pregnant women for the presence of clinically significant antibodies in their blood, and in certain cases neonatal screening is also carried out.