Amid surge in dengue cases: Cebu blood supply tight

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Province barely has enough blood supply, leaving the province vulnerable amid a surge in dengue cases.

The Philippine Red Cross-Cebu Chapter said its blood inventory remains sufficient for the time being but stressed that it is only at the minimum safe level.

PRC-Cebu Chapter Administrator Atty. Vera G. De Jesus-Pater said the chapter continues to maintain blood stocks to ensure that patients requiring transfusion can be served.

“Sufficient, pero hindi more than sufficient,” Vera told The Freeman.

She explained that when the Red Cross considers its blood inventory sufficient, it generally means it can provide one to two units of blood to a patient, depending on the urgency of the case and available stocks.

For instance, if a patient needs five units, the Red Cross may initially provide one or two units, depending on the severity of the patient’s condition.

Vera said the chapter considers 50 units per blood type, per blood component as its minimum sufficient inventory.

These components include whole blood, packed red blood cells, platelet concentrate, fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate, among other blood products. Apheresis products, meanwhile, are not routinely stocked because of their shorter shelf life and are collected from donors upon request.

Vera said the chapter has catered to around five dengue patients requiring blood transfusion in recent weeks. She emphasized, however, that not all dengue patients require blood.

“Yung mga pasyente kasi na nangangailangan ng dugo, sila yung mga nasa critical na stage ng pagkakaroon ng dengue,” she said.

The Red Cross continues to conduct bloodletting activities almost daily to replenish its inventory.

During lean periods, the chapter collects an average of 80 to 100 bags of blood a week, although collections can reach around 200 bags when there is a stronger donor turnout.

Vera said the current period is considered lean for blood donation, partly because some potential donors are affected by coughs, colds and other health conditions.

Some donors are also deferred during blood drives after medical screening due to low hemoglobin levels, hypertension or other conditions that may temporarily prevent them from donating.

Despite this, the Red Cross continues to organize mass blood drives in different municipalities in Cebu.

If demand eventually exceeds Cebu’s available supply, the chapter can coordinate with other Red Cross chapters to augment its blood inventory.

Vera said blood requests are also coordinated between hospitals and the Red Cross, with the chapter facilitating the delivery of blood to requesting facilities.

She encouraged Cebuanos to donate blood regularly instead of waiting for an emergency to create a shortage.

“Hindi po tayo nananawagan sa blood supply kung kailangan lang natin. Dapat parati tayong handa,” Vera said.

She said blood donors should be considered lifesavers because every donation can help save lives.

Vera also clarified that senior citizens are not automatically prohibited from donating blood.

Those aged 60 may still donate as long as they are physically fit, healthy and have no medical condition that would prevent them from donating.

Donors aged 61 to 65 who continue to donate are also assessed based on their health and donor history.

Potential donors undergo medical screening before every donation to determine whether they are fit to give blood.

Based on the latest data, dengue cases in Cebu Province reached 1,953 from January to the first week of August, with 14 deaths recorded.

The data showed that 1,939 patients survived the illness, while 14 died during the period.

Dengue cases were relatively lower during the first half of the year but increased sharply in July, when the province recorded its highest monthly tally at 582 cases, including three deaths. The first week of August recorded 271 cases, with one death.

The monthly breakdown showed 174 cases in January, 209 in February, 200 in March, 150 in April, 143 in May, 224 in June, 582 in July and 271 in August.

July accounted for nearly 30 percent of the total dengue cases recorded from January to the first week of August.

The province-wide data were based on reports submitted by the different local government units and do not include Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City.

The figures also represent recorded cases and do not indicate the number of currently active or ongoing cases.

Health authorities continue to urge the public to eliminate possible mosquito-breeding sites, particularly containers and areas where stagnant water can accumulate, as dengue-carrying Aedes mosquitoes thrive in such environments. — /FPL (FREEMAN)