AFP, DOH ink pact on blood donation

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday signed an agreement to institutionalize voluntary blood donation.

The agreement is in line with Republic Act 7719 or the National Blood Services Act, which promotes voluntary blood donation and regulates commercial blood banks.

Under the agreement, soldiers will donate blood to the DOH-Philippine Blood Center, which will provide supplies, equipment and personnel needed for bloodletting activities.

“We are going to request the Armed Forces of the Philippines to donate blood voluntarily. In return we will do all technical activities so we can increase the quality of blood and blood products to be given to patients in need,” said Andres Bonifacio, officer-in-charge of the Philippine Blood Center.

The military will get 30 percent of blood units collected within a year.

“Knowing that supply of blood is now readily available with the signing of this agreement, we are more confident that the chance of survival of our soldiers wounded in battle will increase significantly,” AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said in a statement.

The agreement also aims to prevent the spread of infections and blood transmissible diseases like human immunodeficiency virus, which causes AIDS; hepatitis B and C; syphilis; and malaria through blood screening.