Phl closer to filling blood supply shortage

MANILA, Philippines -  The Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday that the country is getting closer to filling the shortage in the supply of blood as many people have stepped up to become regular volunteers.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said some provinces have already achieved 100 percent voluntary blood donation, meaning all of blood collected was from volunteers.

Citing data from the DOH-National Voluntary Blood Services Program, Ona said a total of 654,763 blood units were collected in 2009, 58 percent of which came from voluntary blood donation and 42 percent from replacement donation.

As the country celebrated Blood Donor’s Day, Ona called on the public, particularly the youth, to help save lives by regularly donating blood.

“Giving blood is like giving the most precious gift to another person: the gift that will help heal the sick, the gift that will preserve life. We do not lose blood when we give some because blood regenerates itself. As we donate blood, we re-fill our bodies with new and fresher blood,” he said.

According to Ona, the DOH is targeting the youth in its blood donation program this year.

Through the blood donation program, DOH hopes to create wider awareness of the vital role of blood transfusion in saving lives and improving the health of millions of people each year.

The DOH also hopes to motivate more persons to become regular voluntary unpaid blood donors to ensure a sufficient supply of blood to meet national requirements, even in emergency situations.

Ona said regular voluntary unpaid donors are better donors because they lead healthy lifestyles and are regularly screened.