Blood supply enough for dengue victims – Red Cross

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has assured the public there is enough blood supply amid reports of a 16.5-percent rise in the number of dengue cases in the country.

“We can set up a full service emergency hospital in the field should…the situation warrants it,” said PRC chairman Richard Gordon.

Cavite was placed under a state of calamity after close to 4,000 dengue cases with 16 deaths were recorded from January to September this year.

Bulacan recorded more than 4,000 cases with 10 deaths.

In Baguio City, health authorities have placed 16 out of 28 barangays under tight watch for dengue.

Camp 7, Irisan, Kias, Bakakeng Central, Asin Road, Loakan Proper, Pinsao Pilot Project, Middle Rock Quarry, Pacdal, Holy Ghost Proper, Sto. Tomas Proper, Lower Rock Quarry, Fort Del Pilar, Loakan-Liwanag, San Vicente and Teacher’s Camp-Cabinet Hill have reported three to 10 cases since Aug. 23.

Aside from the blood supply and testing facilities in Cavite, the PRC put up a 100-bed tent at the General Emilio Aguinaldo Hospital grounds.

Gordon said the PRC also sent 45 bags of blood to Marinduque, which has no local blood bank.

He said the PRC has mobilized its network of volunteer workers to aid barangay and local health officials in the education campaign and cleanup efforts to stem the spread of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

The Department of Health has reported a 16.5 percent increase or 78,808 dengue cases from January to Sept. 5 this year compared to the same period last year.