The City Health Office (CHO), in partnership with the Subnational Blood Center for Mindanao, continues to urge Dabawenyos to participate in blood donation drives.
CHO Medical Coordinator for the Organ and Blood Donation Program Dr. Jebbe Haze N. Palec, during the I-Speak Media Forum on Thursday, said that under the Voluntary Blood Donation Program launched in 2024, more than 50 percent of Davao City’s 182 barangays have already participated in the program by conducting community-based blood donation drives.
However, Palec said they encourage more people to join and participate in the program, especially those who are eligible to donate blood, due to the continued need for blood in various medical emergencies and conditions.
Blood donations can help patients with leukemia and other forms of cancer, anemia, or dengue, as well as accident victims and those undergoing surgery.
Sachiko Jaudian, Registered Medical Technologist and Donor Recruitment Officer of the Subnational Blood Center for Mindanao, said blood donation drives conducted in Davao City and across the region contribute to the blood inventory that serves not only the Davao Region but the entire Mindanao.
“Nagapahigayon og blood letting activities sa Davao Region. We are working so hard na kahit na may expiration po ang blood inventory, we are maintaining the blood inventory sa mga blood centers. As we speak, na sa stable po ang ating blood supply (We continue to conduct blood donation activities across the Davao Region. Even though blood has an expiration period, we work hard to maintain an adequate supply in our blood centers. As of now, our blood supply remains stable),” she said.
Jaudian said the Subnational Blood Center for Mindanao is open 24 hours to accommodate blood requests and inquiries, although hospitals are usually the ones that coordinate directly with the center rather than patients’ watchers.
She added that July is National Blood Donors Month, and the public is encouraged to undergo blood donor screening at their nearest blood centers or participate in the various blood donation activities organized by barangays.
“Each donation can save up to three to four lives, and around 30 to 40 minutes tapos na kayong mag-donate. It can save or lengthen po ng life ng patient. (Each donation can save up to three to four lives, and the donation process takes only about 30 to 40 minutes. It can save or prolong a patient’s life),” Jaudian said.
She emphasized that donating blood is a voluntary and altruistic act and that the doors of their office are open to those who are willing to donate.
“Ang Subnational Blood Center for Mindanao is open Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. We can cater to walk-in donors sa J.P. Laurel Street, Bajada, Davao City. Just bring a valid government-issued or company ID, school ID. This is a voluntary and altruistic act po talaga. Hindi pa po huli ang lahat para at least po mag-donate ng dugo (The Subnational Blood Center for Mindanao is open from Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. We accept walk-in donors at our office on J.P. Laurel Street, Bajada, Davao City. Just bring a valid government-issued or company ID, school ID. Donating blood is truly a voluntary and altruistic act. It is never too late to donate blood),” she said.
Barangays and communities can support the city’s blood donation program by organizing blood donation drives in partnership with the City Health Office and the Subnational Blood Center for Mindanao. CIO