Soldiers donate blood to dengue patients

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines —The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) has responded to the call of the Department of Health (DOH) to help ensure an adequate supply of blood for dengue patients in Western and Central Visayas.

At least 200 bags of 140-milliliter blood were collected from soldiers on Negros Island and Iloilo, the 3rd ID said.

The 303rd Infantry Brigade collected 145 bags; 301st IB, 50, and 302nd IB, 20, on Thursday.

The 3rd ID and the Army General Hospital based in Manila also deployed medical staff to augment personnel in dengue hydration units in Iloilo City.

“Dito lang kami as long as mayroong dengue outbreak,” Col. Ramon Zagala, Army spokesman, said.

The Office of Civil Defense  said the number of dengue cases in Western Visayas has reached 27,630, with 126 deaths.

Last month, the DOH Center for Health Development declared a dengue outbreak in Western Visayas, except for Negros Occidental, which was placed only on alert status.

As the number of cases surged, the local governments of Kabankalan City, Murcia and Cauayan declared a dengue outbreak. – Michael Punongbayan, Jaime Laude