ILOILO City – The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) – Iloilo Chapter has reported a significant increase in blood demand due to the surge in dengue cases across Iloilo City and the province since July.
Over 170 blood requests from dengue patients were fulfilled in August alone, according to Dr. Carlo Nolan Carrado, manager of the Western Visayas Regional Blood Center of PRC-Iloilo Chapter.
The sharp increase in demand has prompted a call to action for healthy individuals aged 18 to 60 to donate blood.
The types of blood components requested by dengue patients include whole blood, platelet concentrate, red blood cells, and fresh frozen plasma, Carrado told Panay News.
Donations can be made at the PRC-Iloilo center on Bonifacio Drive, City Proper, or at various blood donation activities organized by local government units (LGUs), private partners, and hospitals.
From January to July, the blood center served around 160 dengue cases, but the number soared in August, Carrado revealed.
“We are asking for your help to donate blood here at the Red Cross or at our mobile blood donation activities held by different municipalities. Everyone is welcome, especially those between 18 to 60 years old who are healthy,” added Carrado.
Individuals aged 16 to 17 may also donate blood, provided they secure parental consent.
Those on maintenance medications for conditions like high blood pressure can still donate, but must disclose their medical history to a medical officer for assessment.
Carrado advised that donors should have eight hours of sleep, eat breakfast, drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol and smoking before donating.
From January to July this year, PRC-Iloilo collected over 17,000 blood units and aims to reach 25,000 units by the end of 2024, buoyed by ongoing donation activities.
“Thanks to our partners and organizers who continuously conduct mobile blood donation activities, our blood supply is gradually increasing,” Carrado said.
The efforts of LGUs, hospitals, and private partners through mobile blood donations have been crucial in meeting the needs of all those requiring blood at PRC-Iloilo, especially dengue patients, he added.
From January 1 to August 17, Region 6 recorded 15,688 dengue cases with 31 fatalities, a 199 percent increase from the same period in 2023, which saw 5,254 cases and 24 deaths.
A huge spike in cases was noted in just one week, from August 10 to 17, with 3,490 new cases reported.
Here’s the latest breakdown of dengue cases in the region:
* Aklan – 1,766 cases with one death
* Antique – 942 cases with one death
* Capiz – 1,581 cases with five deaths
* Guimaras – 1,320 cases with one death
* Iloilo – 6,069 cases with 13 deaths
* Iloilo City – 945 cases with three deaths
* Negros Occidental – 2,418 cases with six deaths
* Bacolod City – 647 cases with one death
Dengue patients may require blood transfusions for a few reasons, primarily due to complications that can arise from the infection. The disease can cause a significant drop in platelet count (thrombocytopenia), which are components of the blood that help with clotting. When platelet levels fall too low, there is a risk of severe bleeding (hemorrhaging), and transfusions of platelets can be necessary to prevent this.
If the patient experiences internal or external bleeding, blood transfusions (using whole blood or packed red blood cells) may be needed to replace the lost blood and maintain adequate hemoglobin levels, which are crucial for carrying oxygen in the blood.
Also, dengue hemorrhagic fever, a severe form of dengue, can lead to leakage of blood plasma outside of small blood vessels, potentially resulting in shock (dengue shock syndrome). Blood products might be used to manage and stabilize the patient’s condition in such cases./PN
