DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Only a small number of individuals in the region have donated blood yearly, says Philippine Red Cross – Davao Chapter (PRC-Davao).
In the recent Kapehan sa Davao press conference, Davao chapter head, Dr. Eduardo Rodillo, told media that there is only 8 to 10 percent of the population to have been donating blood for the agency. A large number of these donors come from Davao City.
Red Cross – Davao releases 200-300 units of blood a day to cater to the needs of the entire region. This is aside from the supply that they regularly supply as support for the patients in need of blood in the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and other private hospitals.
Rodillo explained that the agency now seeks the public’s help in ensuring the sufficiency of blood especially that they have been extending help in areas as far as Mati City.
“Despite the number of blood bags we have, we need to ask the public to regularly donate because aside from (being) good for the health,(donating will also) ensure that we enough supply in our blood bank,” said Rodillo.
Regardless of the current sufficiency of blood supply from the Red Cross and other blood banks established by the Department of Health in the region, however, Rodillo said the donations should increase in number.
Rodillo said that some of the stated reasons for not donating include the fear of needles, blood phobia, and illness. These reasons should not hinder people from donating, he added.
The agency now constantly partners with various organizations and local government units to amplify its call for blood donations.
“We see the need to boost the donation campaigns especially that many of us have concerns when it comes to donating blood,” he added. (davaotoday.com)
