DOH OKs Aklan blood bank ‘dry run’

June 14 was the World Blood Donor Day. Its theme this year, “Be There for Someone Else. Give Blood. Share Life,” highlights regular and voluntary blood donation worldwide. Those who are able are encouraged to regularly donate blood. PHILIPPINE RED CROSS – AKLAN

KALIBO, Aklan – Once a week the blood bank at the provincial hospital will collect from donors as part of a “dry run.”

The Department of Health has given the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital permission to test how to operate the facility.

While not yet fully operational the blood bank may already help in efforts to provide safe, sufficient and sustainable blood supply in Aklan, Provincial Health Officer Cornelio Cuachon Jr. said.

Blood units will be available at the hospital once the facility becomes fully operational.

By that time patients and their families who need transfusion will no longer have to travel to Iloilo or Roxas city for their blood needs.

Currently the Philippine Red Cross in this capital town is the only blood collecting unit and blood station in the province.

The Provincial Health Office urged those who are able to regularly donate blood.

June 14 was the World Blood Donor Day. Its theme this year, “Be There for Someone Else. Give Blood. Share Life,” highlights regular and voluntary blood donation worldwide.

Blood units in Aklan come from unpaid donors, Cuachon pointed out.

These are collected in mobile voluntary blood drives held by local government units, civic groups, barangay councils, media entities, nongovernment organizations, and Red Cross – Aklan.

Last year Banga, Madalag, Tangalan, Malinao, Batan, and Lezo achieved their target of making one percent of their population as blood donors.

That year voluntary blood donation campaigns in Aklan collected 6,053 blood units – surpassing the one-percent target (6,003) out of the 600,348 population of the province. (With Aklan Forum Journal/PN)

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