Proposed measure: More blood donors

CEBU, Philippines - A proposed measure to institutionalize a barangay blood donors program in Talisay City is now up for study.

This, as the City Council had discussed the move which involves massive bloodletting and blood typing activities within the city.

The measure, authored by Councilor Francis Richard Aznar, seeks to provide a local mechanism by which Republic Act 7719 or the National Blood Services Act of 1994 will be implemented in the city for the promotion of public health.

If the ordinance will be approved, the 22 barangays may soon be required to hold annual bloodletting activities.

Aznar, chairman of the committee on health, also said the aim of his measure is to institutionalize the voluntary blood donation program to "provide safe, adequate and equitable distribution of blood and blood products" to bona fide residents of the city.

"This ordinance will promote and encourage voluntary blood donation by the constituency and will install and heighten public awareness of the principle that blood donation is a humanitarian act and a community responsibility," Aznar said.

Under the ordinance, the blood donor program in the barangays will be made a regular but voluntary activity in the barangay. This will be conducted every July, which will be considered Barangay Blood Donors' Month.

Aznar said all barangay residents are encouraged to donate blood and all barangays must hold a blood donation orientation prior to the bloodletting activity to ensure proper public education and awareness on blood donation.

The 22 barangays of the city will have to identify at least one percent of its total population who are 18 years old and above to undergo blood typing every six months.

Their names will be entered into the databank of the barangay and shared with the City Health Office, which will manage it. Each barangay will also have its list of walking blood donors according to blood types and with their contact numbers.

There will also be a separate list for people with rare blood types, or those with type AB or RH negative, with their addresses and contact numbers, to facilitate coordination in case of emergencies.

Aznar said the walking blood donors are individuals included in the list of qualified donors who are ready to donate blood whenever needed by the community.

Upon approval of the ordinance, the city government will set aside funds as seed money for the operation of the Barangay Blood Donors' program on the first year of implementation. The funds shall be used to purchase blood bags, reagents and other materials used for bloodletting.

On the second and succeeding years of implementation, Aznar said the barangay is authorized to set aside one percent annually to be taken from the 20 percent Barangay Development Fund to finance the annual bloodletting activity.

The barangay, through its officials, are also encouraged to pursue and generate financial support for the collection and processing of blood donors, provided that no amount shall be imposed and collected from any voluntary blood donors.  (FREEMAN)