Archival eyes citywide blood profiling program

MANILA, Philippines — The incoming administration of Mayor-elect Nestor Archival is planning to implement a citywide blood profiling program covering all 80 barangays of Cebu City.

This was disclosed by North District Councilor-elect Nice Archival during the celebration of World Blood Donor Day at the Ayala Central Bloc in Cebu IT Park.

“In each barangay kinahanglan naa tay blood profiling, kay aron in case of emergency, dili na ta magdali-dali, sayon na lang pagpangita og possible donors,” Archival said.

The proposed program aims to streamline the process of locating blood donors in emergency situations. By creating a database of blood types in every barangay, the city hopes to significantly cut response times and reduce the stress often associated with urgent blood needs.

Councilor-elect Archival, a niece of the incoming mayor, emphasized the potential of the program to transform blood donation from a charitable act into a regular community practice.

The initiative is expected to make a significant impact on the city's healthcare system by ensuring blood is readily available during critical situations.

In the meantime, Dr. Grace Valdez, medical director of the Apas Super Family Health Center, is encouraging Cebuanos to donate blood now, noting that donors gain the benefit of easier access to blood in the future should they ever need it.

She described blood donation as a “gift of love” and added, “Even though one may not be like those heroes in action movies, giving blood is like also being a hero to those who are in need… right now.”

“In this collaboration, we are helping our clients, especially sa taga-siyudad. We're also helping our neighboring cities. Kay kung di kaayo need sa atoa, then it (dugo) can also be distributed to (the cities of) Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, and Talisay. So, this is really a program where the sincerity of our clients to donate blood is seen nga it's a very good cause for us to contribute,” Valdez added.

Valdez also reiterated that blood donors are given the privilege of accessing blood in the future should they require it.