There could be more blood bags with HIV ? DOH

CEBU, Philippines – Though only four bags of blood were found to be positive of the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV), an official of the health department said there could be more.

Dr. Regnette Christine Ligaray, chief of the DOH Sub-National Blood Center-Visayas, explained that HIV could remain undetected after the pre-donation testing and donation process of the blood units.

"Dili pa perfect sa pre-donation testing. Negative pa sa blood testing. Ara na ma-hibawan sa post-donation testing," Ligaray said.

According to Ligaray, during the early infection stage or "window" period, the virus stays non-reactive to the blood test. And if detected with HIV after the post-donation testing, the blood is still sent to Manila for confirmation.

Blood bags are not guaranteed 100-percent safe from HIV, she stressed, but recipients are more at risk so donors must be responsible before donating.

The Department of Health (DOH) is encouraging the public to use condoms or practice abstinence to prevent sexually-transmitted diseases.

Of the 1,305 HIV cases in the Philippines, 200 cases are from Cebu.

"Kon mo-donate ka, dili ka matakdan. Kon abonohan na ka, mas risky kang matakdan," she said. (There's no risk in donating blood. The risk is with the recipients.)

Ligaray said that during bloodletting activities, there is only post-donation testing after the blood units are taken to the center since pre-donation blood tests cannot be performed in the actual site.

There are only two blood centers in the region, the Eastern Visayas Regional Blood Center of the Philippine Red Cross and the DOH 7.

Unlike hospital blood banks that focus on the patient's care, blood centers are non-hospital based centers that perform the pre-donation, donation process and post-donation testing.

She suggested that blood donations to be community-based and institutionalized in local health units since barangay health workers know more if the person is capable of donating blood.

Ligaray said that although it is mandatory that a donor undergoes blood test, what is more important is the proper donor selection and counseling.

Randall Joey Angub, donor recruitment officer, said donors are informed and are required to undergo interviews and counseling before donating.

"It takes vigilance for a donor. Quality blood comes from the donor himself," Angub told The Freeman.

Dr. Elia Tacan, DOH AIDS coordinator, warned the public not to donate blood just for them to have free blood tests. "Every blood transfusion carries risk," she said.

The four HIV-positive blood units will soon be disposed after treatment along with other infected waste materials

Tacan said the youngest person with AIDS is a 15-year-old while a 79-year-old is recorded to be the oldest person living with AIDS.

She said abstinence is the most effective way of preventing of AIDS.

"If you want safer sex, use condoms. Pero 100% effective jud kon abstinence," Tacan said, advising everyone to stay faithful to their partners.

Site Implementation Coordinator for Global Fund HIV Project Myrna Alaba said they offer free medication of anti-retroviral drugs for persons living with AIDS.

Drug users are more at risk than sex workers, she said, but warned everyone to stay cautious and avoid risky behavior.

With its theme "Universal Access and Human Rights", DOH celebrated World AIDS Day yesterday with a walk from Fuente Osmeña to Plaza Sugbo, exhibits from various schools and Miss Gay World AIDS Day.  (FREEMAN)