Red Cross needs more blood donors for dengue patients

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) called on the public yesterday to continue donating blood amid the rise in dengue cases nationwide.

PRC Chairman Richard Gordon said the public could donate through the agency’s 27 blood centers and 82 blood banks nationwide.

Gordon said the donations could be shipped to areas where dengue cases are on the rise.

The PRC accounts for 52 percent of the country’s need for blood.

“It’s a matter of life and death for dengue patients to get enough supply,” Gordon said as he sought for more Red Cross volunteers to join the agency’s 143 Program.

The program seeks to have at least 144 health and disaster relief volunteers in every barangay.

He appealed for more help in PRC efforts to assist the governments in Cavite and Bulacan, which are now in the throes of a major dengue outbreak.

“We must help the anti-dengue effort through volunteerism and cash and blood donations. Support for the public health campaign to prevent outbreaks is also significant,” he said. 

Blood transfusion is one of the key treatments for dengue. Each patient may need up to six bags. 

Gordon assured the public that the PRC has enough blood, but there is a need to ensure that the supply will not be depleted. 

PRC secretary general Gwendolyn Pang alerted other Red Cross Chapters for a possible increase in dengue cases in their areas.

Based on PRC records, dengue cases are on the rise in Abra, Ilocos Norte and Sur, Isabela, Lanao del Norte, La Union, Olongapo City, Palawan and Zambales.

The Department of Health recorded 78,808 cases from Jan. 1 to Sept. 5. The figure is 16.5 percent higher than the 67,637 cases recorded last year.

Pangasinan posts 57% hike in dengue cases

The provincial government of Pangasinan has  recorded 2,940 cases of dengue from January to September, or a 57 percent increase from last year’s data.

Provincial health officer Anna Ma. Teresa de Guzman said the figure included 12 deaths, or almost 50 percent higher compared to last year’s five fatalities.

De Guzman said nine towns and a city have been placed in dengue watch list. These include Alaminos City with 404 cases; Anda, 86; Asingan, 107; Bani, 151; Bolinao, 158; Mangaldan, 119; Pozorrubio, 83; San Fabian, 126; Sison, 164 and Umingan, 88. 

De Guzman advised residents to refrain from catching frogs, as the animal prevents the production of mosquitoes by eating its eggs and larva. – With Eva Visperas