KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH) has intensified its call to the public to voluntarily donate blood to help save lives.
“We continue to encourage our communities to participate in bloodletting activities and to consider blood donation as a way of giving back to others,” Dr. Vina Facinabao, regional blood program coordinator of DOH-Center for Health Development SOCCSKSARGEN, said.
The DOH, along with the Philippine Red Cross, reiterated to the public that blood donation should be voluntary and not for sale. Both agencies are discouraging selling or buying blood, emphasizing that donating blood is a humanitarian responsibility, not a commercial transaction.
DOH aims to strengthen the establishment of a sustainable blood services network in the region through the Regional Blood Council (RBC).
“The Regional Blood Council is still in the process of being fully organized, but once institutionalized, it will help strengthen our blood donation program and coordination among stakeholders,” she explained.
The RBC, established in 2024, consists of representatives from national line agencies, local government units (LGUs), public and private hospitals, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), civil society organizations, and the business sector.
Facinabao expressed confidence that institutionalizing the council will strengthen the implementation of blood donation programs and enhance access to a safe and adequate blood supply in the region.
RBC’s establishment aligns with Republic Act No. 7719, known as the National Blood Services Act of 1994. This act promotes voluntary blood donation and acknowledges it as a humanitarian effort to assist individuals in medical need.
The DOH also reassured the public that every blood donation undergoes a rigorous screening and processing procedure to guarantee the safety of both donors and recipients.
In a statement, the Philippine Red Cross supported the DOH by emphasizing that the blood donation process involves strict screening procedures, which include an initial medical assessment to evaluate a donor’s fitness to donate.
According to the PRC, only those donors who are eligible and meet specific health and age criteria will be permitted to donate blood.
The donated blood is kept in cold storage facilities at the PRC and is tested for five major infections: HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and malaria before it is approved for patient use, it stated.
Meanwhile, the DOH has encouraged the public to visit their nearest PRC chapter or any DOH-accredited blood bank in their area if they wish to donate blood or need access to blood services.
The DOH and PRC believe that with the support of LGUs, partner agencies, and the public, they can ensure a safe, accessible, and adequate blood supply is available in SOCCSKSARGEN to help more people who need blood and, ultimately, save lives. (AMB, PIA Region 12)
