City Health Office asked: Promote blood donation

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has urged the City Health Office (CHO), in coordination with the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) and the private sector, to promote continued awareness and education on the importance of donating blood and to undertake intense blood donation drives.

This is to help ensure quality, safe, and sufficient blood and blood products supply for continued effective and efficient health care services delivery amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City Council likewise enjoined the Human Resource Development Office (HRDO) to make voluntary blood donation a regular activity of the city government and encourage all employees to donate blood and help save lives.

Councilor Alvin Dizon has sponsored a resolution which the City Council has approved during its regular session last Wednesday.

Dizon said the local government plays a crucial role in promoting public awareness on voluntary blood donation and to undertake intense blood donation drives especially at this time of the year when dengue cases are prevalent and also to respond to other illnesses that require blood transfusion.

Republic Act No. 7719, also known as the “National Blood Services Act of 1994,” promotes voluntary blood donation to provide sufficient supply of safe blood and to regulate blood banks. The law also aims to inculcate public awareness that blood donation is a humanitarian act.

Dizon said beyond an act of selfless service, donating one’s blood also has proven health benefits including good health and reduced risk of cancer and hemochromatosis, reduced risk of damage to liver and pancreas, and may help in improving cardiovascular health and reducing obesity.

The councilor stressed that promoting voluntary blood donation underscores the important roles that blood donors play in attaining the goal of universal health coverage.

"It is imperative that we have sufficient blood and blood products available to address demand for quality and safe blood supply and to ensure effective and efficient health care services delivery amid the COVID-19 pandemic," said Dizon. — GAN (FREEMAN)