‘Donate blood to save lives’

The Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD) highlights the importance of voluntary blood donation not only to provide sufficient supply of safe blood but also to help save other people’s lives.

The DOH observes the National Blood Donor’s Month Celebration this July as per Proclamation No. 2021 and Republic Act 7719 also known as the National Blood Services Act of 1994 despite of the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. These laws aim to inculcate public awareness that blood donation is a humanitarian act.

The restrictions imposed due to the pandemic resulted to the reduction of collected blood units from 97,421 in 2019 to only 83,088 in 2020. Mobile blood donation activities are essential to maintain adequate supply of safe blood. However, these were cancelled due to prohibition on mass gatherings. The ongoing COVID-19 vaccination roll-out further limited the number of eligible blood donors since they are required not to have received any vaccine for at least 28 days prior to donation.

Recognizing these concerns. the DOH issued Department Memorandum 2020-0124 or the Interim Guidelines on Ensuring Blood Safety and Adequacy for COVID-19 Response to emphasize the individuals can still donate blood in the midst of this pandemic.

Also, the DOH and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DI LG) issued Joint Memorandum Circular No 2 on Guidelines on the Advocacy, Recruitment and Community Mobilization for the Local Voluntary Blood and Convalescent Plasma Donation Program. This issuance aims to provide guidance to local government units and local blood councils to incorporate Convalescent Plasma Donation Program with their Local Voluntary Blood Donation Program. This also aims to strengthen the implementation of advocacy, recruitment and community mobilization through allocation of appropriate funds by the local government units.

This National Blood Donor’s Month, the DOH WV CHD encourages the public to do its share in this program. Details and information on blood donation can be accessed through Facebook by searching “Donate Blood” in the search engine. The nearest facility can be found herein to schedule an appointment. Basic facts as well as frequently asked questions on blood donation are also available in this site.

The DOH WV CHD hopes that the public can help promote. educate and inspire others to donate blood and save lives.