Health officials call for more voluntary blood donors

CEBU, Philippines - Echoing the thrust of national health authorities, local Department of Health officials pushed anew the need for strengthened voluntary blood donations as “safe and sustainable way to save lives.”

DOH Central Visayas Regional Director Dr. Jaime Bernadas urged the public to help them in this drive during yesterday’s National Voluntary Blood Services Program Annual Partners’ forum and awarding ceremony.

“It (NVBSP) is faced with the challenge to change the culture of blood donation from family or paid nations to voluntary and unpaid ones. This culture has been with us due to unfounded fear and misconception. The latter is considered to be safer source of blood,” Bernadas addressed those in attendance in the annual gathering of NVBSP stakeholders in Cebu City.

The health sector, he added, is trying to set the direction for the program by increasing public awareness in the fact that voluntary and non-remunerated blood donations can immediately safely save the lives of people as opposed to paid or family donations which is dependent on the screening and matching tests thereby delaying the transfusion of blood to the patient.

“The main strategy of the NVBSP to promote volunteerism is through mobilization of community-based, well-informed volunteer groups. The program reaches out to the different sectors of society by continuous advocacy, information and education campaigns and bloodletting activities. It is to encourage public involvement, to develop a sense of responsibility that in order for us to have a safe and reliable blood supply for all, it takes the effort not of one person but the entire community,” Bernadas explained.

He further noted an increase of voluntary blood donations in Cebu of more than 50% from what he referred to as “indispensable partner” local government units and the 75 private institutions through mobile bloodletting initiatives.

Despite this positive mark, chief of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center Region 7 Blood Center Dr. Reynette Christine Ligaray stressed that the “ever increasing demand for blood” has not been met by the low public response in voluntary bloodletting activities citing fear of donating due to misconceptions.

Data from VSMMC RBC showed that 2013 registered the highest deferral of 37 percent of the 10,850 donor recruitment as opposed to 2009’s base record of 27 percent of the total 6,300 donor recruitment.

Emerging one of the top reasons for disqualification of a potential donor included various medical conditions comprising 26 percent while not reaching the minimum hemoglobin level constituted 25 percent.

A concern bared by Ligaray in her status report during the same forum is the high donor deferral.  —/JMD (FREEMAN)