Legazpi City: The Department of Health in Bicol (DOH-5) has issued a call to the public to voluntarily donate blood in light of ongoing shortages, which are particularly pronounced during the lean months when donations typically decrease.
According to Philippines News Agency, Nicole Anne Bejo, a registered nurse and donor recruitment officer from the DOH’s Bicol South Luzon – Sub National Reference Laboratory, emphasized the critical need for blood donations in the region. She noted that a single blood donation has the potential to save up to three lives and encouraged individuals to become regular donors to meet the rising demand for blood.
Statistics have shown a steady increase in blood donations over recent years. There were 12,564 units collected in 2021, which grew to 21,265 units in 2022. The numbers continued to rise in 2023 with 26,753 units, and by 2024, total collections reached 32,699 units. Despite this progress, the blood center still requires between 3,000 to 3,500 units each month.
Bejo clarified that the regional statistics reflect not only the efforts of the blood center but also contributions from the Bicol Medical Center and the Philippine Red Cross chapters in Bicol. The center is capable of processing blood units to separate them into various components, maximizing the utility of each donation.
The collected blood serves numerous medical needs, including trauma and road accident cases (2%), obstetrics (4%), orthopedic issues (10%), heart, kidney, and liver diseases (13%), surgical procedures (18%), anemia (19%), and cancer patients and those with blood disorders (34%).
Bejo highlighted the ongoing efforts of the blood center, in collaboration with local government units and stakeholders, to conduct mobile blood donation activities. Eligibility for donation includes individuals aged 18 to 60, with provisions for younger donors aged 16 to 17 with parental consent, and regular donors up to age 65. Donors must weigh at least 50 kg, and both men and women are encouraged to participate, with men able to donate every 12 weeks and women every 16 weeks.
All donated blood undergoes rigorous screening for diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis, and malaria to ensure safety.
