EMPACT 3 course for pediatric bone marrow transplantation starts in April 2026

The EBMT Middle-Income Countries Pediatric Advanced Care Training (EMPACT) program is an international initiative designed to strengthen pediatric hematopoietic stem
cell transplant (HCT) care in middle-income countries. Sponsored by DKMS and developed by the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Pediatric
Diseases Working Party in collaboration with DKMS, Cure2Children Foundation, and Sankalp India Foundation, the program focuses on improving nursing expertise and
retention in transplant centers. High nursing turnover in these regions threatens the sustainability of bone marrow transplant (BMT) services, making professional development
and career opportunities essential.
EMPACT addresses this challenge through a structured training pathway that builds Advanced Practice Provider competencies aligned with FACT/JACIE standards. The
program combines online learning, mentorship, competency assessments, and annual in- person workshops. A revised structure beginning in April 2026 introduces a two-tier
system: a two-year advanced course for experienced nurses and a one-year entry program for new nurses. Training includes clinical rotations in areas such as ICU care,
infection control, chemotherapy administration, and apheresis. The initiative emphasizes cost-effective innovation and sustainable transplant programs in resource-limited
settings.