The provincial government, through its Provincial Blood Council led by Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, aims to acquire 500 blood units in its bloodletting activity held at the Benigno Aquino Hall, Capitol Grounds Friday, in preparation for the dengue season.
Provincial Health Officer Marcelo Jaochico disclosed, the bloodletting is the third of its kind this year and they are to hold another before the end of the year. More than 500 individuals have registered for this event and will undergo a stringent screening process before being successfully bled.
It was learned, the blood council intends to host at least one bloodletting activity per quarter to keep up with the needs of provincial and district hospitals.
The council’s regular blood donors, the men and women of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army, were present at the event as well as a significant number of civilians assembled by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
According to Jaochico, the blood collected during the activity will be screened for hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV and syphilis before storage.
The screened blood units will then be distributed to the provincial and district hospitals, Red Cross Pampanga Chapter and private hospital partners namely, Angeles Univeristy Foundation Medical Center, Pampanga Medical Specialists Hospital, Sacred Heart Medical Center, and Armando Garcia Medical Center.
Currently, seven out of the 11 provincial and district hospitals already have licensed blood centers and are capable of storing 8 blood bags per center.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan-Committee on Health Chair Cris Garbo was also present during the event.
“We have to prepare for the dengue season and strive to provide as much blood units needed by patients, and other cases such as those undergoing dialysis treatments,” Garbo said.
By Angelique DC Tuazon
The Provincial Blood Council led by Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda aims to acquire 500 blood units in its third bloodletting activity for this year.
Photos by Jun Jaso.
