The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) – Palawan Chapter is targeting to be a “blood center” this March 2019 so that it would not send samples to Metro Manila anymore as a “collecting unit and blood station” only.
Agnes Tabinga, Chapter Service Representative, said there is a need for PRC – Palawan to upgrade to a “blood center” status because it has been sending blood samples to Manila for checking and it takes time. When it becomes a blood center, it can then check on the blood supply in its possession and that would lessen the waiting time and the work of the staff.
“In a week, once or twice, nagpapadala kami ng mga sample sa aming blood center sa Manila. Sila ang nagru-run ng tests at ang result ay pinapadala nila sa amin. Once na tayo ay blood center na, hindi na natin kailangang ipadala ang sample sa Manila. Dito na sa Palawan gagawin,” she said.
In compliance with the major requirement of Department of Health (DOH) in upgrading to a blood center, PRC – Palawan installed its new generator set, donated by Palawan Pawnshop, and conducted their ceremonial turnover and switching-on of the generator set on January 19, 2019.
PRC – Palawan is currently gearing up to apply for the upgrade and will procure needed equipment at the end of January 2019.
“Ngayon, ang Red Cross ay abala sa paghahanda para sa application namin. Nakatutok na kami sa mga documents at mga kailangang papeles para sa pag-upgrade from blood collecting unit and blood station to blood center,” Tabinga said.
As PRC – Palawan is expecting to be upgraded to blood center on March 2019, Tabinga pointed out that they need to have enough available blood supply.
“Konti lang ang nagdo-donate ng dugo pero yung need ay napakataas pa rin. Continuous pa rin. Wala rin kaming ma-e-examine na dugo kung wala ring magdo-donate,” she said.
PRC – Palawan is appealing for the increase in the number of volunteer blood donors to have enough blood supply. They are scheduled to hold bloodletting activities:
January 24-26 – Rio Tuba (MBD – RTNFI Hospital)
January 26 -29 – LGU Bataraza – Kapistahan
February 8 – Tactical Operations Wing (TOW) West
February 9 – MMG Coop Hospital