SIQUIJOR, Feb 24 (PIA)—To carry out his
commitment for an all-out support to the Philippine Red Cross' (PRC) intensive
campaign for blood donation, Siquijor provincial governor Zaldy Villa earlier
through an executive order creates the provincial blood council that is
intended to help and promote mass blood donations in the province.
The order is made in
accordance with RA 7719, otherwise known as the National Blood Services Act of
1994.
The Provincial Blood
Council is chaired by the provincial governor with the Integrated Provincial
Health Officer (IPHO) chief Redempta Cortes as the Vice-chairperson.
Members are Dar Lyn
Honrubia as SP Chairman of the Committee on Health, all municipal health
officers, PRC Officer-in-charge Rowena Maputi and IPHO personnel namely
Jemma M. Fortich, Ligaya Daniel, Elgie Generalao, and Pamela Domiguez.
Members from the line
agencies and private sectors include Engr. Mario de la Peña of the Department
of Science and Technology (DOST), Lina Medel of the Provincial Social Welfare
and Development Office (PSWD), Dr. Joseph Irwin Lagura of the Department of
Education, Benie Jun Bantawig, president of the Rotary Club of Siquijor
Central, Atty. Gertrudes Ladion, BCBP, Rizalie A. Calibo of the Philippine
Information Agency (PIA), and the provincial director of the Philippine
National Police (PNP).
PRC Officer
In-Charge, Rowena Maputi expresses her thanks to the governor and the
provincial government for the endeavour that will contribute to blood security
in the province, which, she said, the level of blood availability at present is
zero .
To attain blood
sufficiency for the province, each municipality should have at least 350
potential donors which is equivalent to 2,100 or more donors province wide,
says Maputi.
She suggested that
each barangay should have a maste list of its constituents’ blood type that is
easily accessible.
Maputi encourages the
public to support and donate blood.
“There is nothing to
be afraid of in donating blood,” she said as she enumerated the benefits that a
donor can gain in donating blood.
Among its benefits
are: the change oil mechanism which means that the blood circulating the
body will replenish immediately with new blood cells.
Through the
chronological tests done to the blood donor, diseases like Hepatitis B, C, HIV,
Malaria and syphilis can be detected.
Donors will also
receive a donor card that he can use during emergencies.
Donors are advised to
get enough rest of at least 5 to 6 hours, no alcohol intake for the past 24
hours prior to the donation and no fatty foods included from the previous meal.
Accumulated blood from
the donation will be used for blood transfusions for patients with dengue,
cancers among others.
According to Maputi,
donating blood is a social responsibility, one is obligated to do for his
fellowmen.
She said Red Cross
bridges the gap between the needy and the giver. It is about people
helping people.
If there are no people
willing to help, Red Cross services are futile, she said.
At present, Maputi
said that her office has launched the Pledge 25 Program, a program of the Red
Cross Youth which encourages individuals aging 18-25 to donate blood regularly.
Interested donors are
welcome to visit their office every day from Mondays to Fridays located in
between the Rural Health Unit and the Commission on Election (COMELEC) office
in Siquijor, Siquijor. (mbcn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor w/ reports fromI.A. Abatayo)