ILOILO – Fourteen out of 42 local government units (LGUs) in the province did not have a record of blood donations or organized bloodletting activities last year, data from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) – Iloilo showed.
The province has a population of 2,049,963. PRC would have wanted 20,499 Ilonggos – or at least one percent of the population – to donate blood.
Gilbert Paul Valderrama, PRC-Iloilo administrator, said they did not have a record of blood donations from the towns of Balasan, Barotac Nuevo, Carles, Guimbal, Leganes, Leon, Maasin, Miag-ao, Pavia, San Dionisio, San Joaquin, San Miguel, San Rafael, and Sara.
Valderrama, however, clarified, “It could be nga zero sila but basi may ara sila output or mataas ang ila score card sa Western Visayas Medical Center.”
LGUs are encouraged to produce blood donors – at least one percent of their total population.
Only three LGUs have so far met this, said Valderrama – Igbaras with 1.17 percent or 397 blood donors, Concepcion with 1.06 percent or 486 blood donors, and Mina, one percent or 250 blood donors.
According to Valderrama, 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.
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.
Although only three LGUs were able to hit the one-percent target, Valderrama revealed the PRC collected a total of 22,000 bags of blood.
Meanwhile, Katherine Lego, officer-in-charge of PRC-Iloilo’s Blood Center Manager, said there were legitimate explanations for the 14 LGUs’ zero blood donation record.
“Because of the lockdowns and curfew nga na-institute, medyo nabudlayan gid man ang aton LGUs nga magtipon sang aton blood donors,” Lego said.
Lego once again encourage residents to participate in blood-letting activities organized by LGUs.
“What is really important is the correct mindset sang aton nga mga pumoluyo when it comes to blood donation. Whether during normal or abnormal times, ang need sang blood is constant,” Lego explained.
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./PN
