LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Benguet Chapter can now collect blood elements more efficiently with the recent acquisition of an apheresis machine.
The apheresis machine is a centrifuge that draws blood and spins it to separate components: plasma, platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells.
Oscar Paris, PRC Benguet Chapter administrator, said the machine allows them to provide the right blood components, such as platelets or plasma, for immediate needs.
“This is one of the readiness programs in the province of Benguet, wherein we could make apheresis-derived platelets immediately for our patients in Baguio and Benguet,” Paris said.
He said the machine is important, especially in emergencies or when the supply of specific blood components is limited.
The machine can serve at least eight or nine blood donors a day.
Meanwhile, to ensure an adequate blood supply, the PRC-Benguet has signed memoranda of agreement with the municipality of Tublay, the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post Multi-Purpose Cooperative, King’s College of the Philippines and Barangay Balili in La Trinidad for mass blood donation drives.
PRC-Benguet Board of Directors Chairperson Marie Rose Fongwan-Kepes said they need, at least, 48 partners for blood donation drives.
“One thing we like to promote from Red Cross Chapter, dagitoy kuma mga kakailyan nga i-Benguet, ayaban tayo nga ag-member because it goes a long way. Bassit nga mai-donate na, dakkel ti matulungan, as far as readiness is concerned,” Kepes said.
(One thing we like to promote from the Red Cross Chapter is for Benguet residents to become members because it goes a long way. With just a little blood donated, it is a big help as far as readiness is concerned.) (JDP/DEG/ Ariann Willy Mangayabas & Liezel Castillijos- PIA-BSU Interns)
