Blood donors needed as dengue cases rise

MANILA, Philippines — The public has been urged to donate blood as dengue cases in the country continue to rise, according to the Philippine Red Cross.

PRC secretary general Gwen Pang yesterday stressed the importance of blood donation as demand for blood is high during dengue outbreaks.

“I encourage everyone to make blood donation your lifestyle because this is not only good for the health, but it also helps save lives,” Pang said.

The PRC owns and operates 108 blood service facilities, 32 blood centers, 76 blood collecting stations and 15 apheresis centers nationwide.

People have been advised to contact PRC hotlines 1158 and 143 for blood assistance.

During the first six months of this year, the PRC provided a total of 3,038 blood units to 974 dengue patients.

PRC chairman and chief executive officer Richard Gordon assured the public that the PRC is ready to supply blood to patients and help the nation combat the mosquito-borne disease.

“There is always available blood from Red Cross. That is my promise to our kababayans. We deliver blood to hospitals so they don’t have to go to Red Cross to ask for blood,” Gordon said.

He said the agency delivered 15 units of blood platelets in Southern Leyte from Cebu due to rising dengue cases in Maasin town.

“We can do the same to other provinces. Blood from Red Cross is free and safe,” Gordon said.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said it was ready to declare a dengue outbreak.

Latest data from the DOH showed there were 136,161 dengue cases recorded from Jan. 1 to Aug. 3 this year.

The figure is 33 percent higher than the 102,374 cases reported during the same period last year.