Ilonggos must advocate more for blood donation awareness
A wider awareness on the importance of voluntary blood donation has to be conducted by the concerned government and non-government organizations in order to encourage more people to become regular donors.
Dr. Ma. Bemerly Jardiolin-Sira, Pathologist of the Western Visayas Medical Center here said in a PIA interview that while Ilonggos' attitude towards blood donation is no longer as negative as before, we still need to have intensive advocacy on the importance of blood donation to saturate the population in order to encourage new donors.
This coming July, Dr. Sira said, we will observe it as a Blood Donors Month with the theme "I'm a Blood Donor and I have save Lives".
There will be advocacy and blood-letting activities that will be conducted in this period of the year to heighten the consciousness that voluntary blood donors are the foundation of a safe blood supply, Dr. Sira said.
Dr. Sira, who is also the Laboratory Head of the Western Visayas Medical Center Blood Bank, said that the blood transfused to the recipients are examined well. Before a blood-letting activity is done from a donor, three stages of examination is conducted- interview, physical examination and serological examination.
The Serologic examination will determine if the donated blood is free from HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Malaria and Syphilis.
The last method to ensure that there's no incompatibility when it comes to blood transfusion is called bed-side blood typing of the patient, Dr. Sira said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Edgardo Silva, Regional Blood Coordinator of the Department of Health Region VI said in the same PIA interview that Local Government Units and NGOs are also recognized in their effort to increase the level of awareness of the public on blood donation program of the government.
He said that in 2003 Region VI was top in the national recognition dubbed National Sandugo Award, and was cited second placers for 2004 and 2005.
As to how, a blood donor can save lives, Dr. Sira and Dr. Silva explained that the blood which the heart pumps around the human body through blood vessels, does many things to keep us alive and healthy. The blood carries the necessities of life like oxygen, water and food to all the cells of the body.
(T.Villavert/PIA)