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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Wednesday, february 15, 2017
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ILOILO City – Less than one percent of Iloilo’s population donated blood in 2016, data from the Philippine Red Cross – Western Visayas Regional Blood Center showed.
The province has a population of 1,972,958. Red Cross would have wanted 19,730 Ilonggos – or at least one percent of the population – to donate blood.
Last year, however, only 3,765 or 0.19 percent of the total population of the province donated blood to Red Cross.
Because the need for blood for many complex medical and surgical procedures is constant, donations must be steady, too, to ensure supply in Red Cross’ blood bank. Red Cross data, however, showed none of the 43 local government units in the province was able to reach the one percent blood donors target.
Also, five towns registered no blood donors or conducted bloodletting activities to encourage blood donation. These were New Lucena, San Joaquin, San Miguel, San Rafael, and Zarraga.
Red Cross also did not have a record of blood donations from Passi City or bloodletting activities organized by the local government.
Who can donate blood?
According to Red Cross, one can donate blood if he/she:
* is in good health
* is between 16 to 65 years old (16 and 17 years old need parents consent)
* weighs at least 110 pounds
* has a blood pressure between: Systolic: 90-160 mmHg, Diastolic: 60-100 mmHg; and
* has passed the physical and health history assessments.
According to Dr. Dennis Roy Pasadilla, Red Cross-Iloilo blood center manager, there could be legitimate explanations for the six local government units’ zero blood donation record.
These towns probably conducted mobile blood donations in partnership with the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC), he said.
“We don’t have the list of towns that conducted mobile blood donations with WVMC. Our data only included those who conducted mobile blood donation with us,” admitted Pasadilla.
MAYORS EXPLAIN
Mayor Jesry Palmares of Passi City said they conduct bloodletting activities with WVMC five times last year.
From 2012 to 2014 Passi City coordinated with Red Cross but the local government found it easier with WVMC, said Palmares.
“Sa Western accessible gid katama ang pagkuha sang dugo, wala sang damo proseso bala,” said Palmares.
Mayor John Tarrosa of Zarraga agreed with Palmares. “Didto ya sa WVMC, every time gakinahanglan kami blood, readily available,” he said.
But the local government of Zarraga conducted a bloodletting activity with Red Cross just last week, said Tarrosa.
They were able to collect 40 bags of blood, he said.
For his part, Mayor Christian Sorongon of New Lucena said he’s a new local chief executive. He vowed to help Red Cross gather blood donations starting with a bloodletting later this month.
DONATION TIPS
Red Cross has the following tips to those wanting to donate blood:
* Have enough rest and sleep.
* No alcohol intake 24 hours prior to blood donation.
* No medications for at least 24 hours prior to blood donation.
* Have something to eat prior to blood donation, avoid fatty food.
* Drink plenty of fluid, like water or juice.
What should one do after donating blood? Red Cross has the following advice:
* Drink plenty of fluid, like water or juice.
* Refrain from stooping down after blood donation.
* Refrain from strenuous activities like lifting heavy objects, driving big vehicles such as bus, trucks, etc., or operating big machines.
* Avoid using the punctured arm in lifting heavy objects.
* Apply pressure on the punctured site and lift the arm in case the site is still bleeding.
* If there is discoloration and swelling on the punctured site, you may apply cold compress for 24 hours.
* If there is dizziness, just lie down with your feet elevated. Drink plenty of juice; and in just a few minutes or so, it will pass.
WHY DONATE BLOOD?
In its website, the World Health Organization (WHO) explained why people should donate blood.
Safe blood saves lives and improves health. Blood transfusion is needed for:
* women with complications of pregnancy, such as ectopic pregnancies and hemorrhage before, during or after childbirth;
* children with severe anemia often resulting from malaria or malnutrition;
* people with severe trauma following man-made and natural disasters; and
* many complex medical and surgical procedures and cancer patients.
According to WHO, there is a constant need for regular blood supply because blood can be stored for only a limited time before use.
Regular blood donations by a sufficient number of healthy people are needed to ensure that safe blood will be available whenever and wherever it is needed, it stressed.
“Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person – the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components – red cells, platelets and plasma – – which can be used individually for patients with specific conditions,” WHO added.
Red Cross data showed Cabatuan, Iloilo having the highest number of blood donors last year with 556, followed by Igbaras with 297, Pototan with 256 and Barotac Viejo with 254.
Other towns with a high number of blood donors were Concepcion (200), Tubungan (191), Calinog (160), Banate and Lambunao (129), Mina (120), Lemery (118), and Anilao (117)./PN
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