The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Blood Services on Monday reported that it has served more than 100,000 patients from January to June this year.
Dr. Monina Nalupta, Director of PRC’s Blood Services, noted in an interview with CNN Philippines, that there has been an increase in the number of blood donors this year, compared to 2020, when the humanitarian organization saw a 29 percent decrease in blood units donated due to the Covid-19 mobility restrictions.
She also stressed that donating blood is lifesaving.
From January Blood Services served 110,215 patients. It collected 166,266 blood units from 155,997 donors and dispensed 191,696 blood units for the same period.
On the recipient side, mothers who recently delivered babies and are experiencing postpartum hemorrhage comprised 20 percent of the patients served.
Through the leadership of its Chairman and CEO, Sen. Richard J. Gordon, the PRC now has 100 blood service facilities nationwide, making it one of the leading providers of blood and blood products in the country.
The PRC continually promotes voluntary non-remunerated blood donations to maintain an adequate supply.
“Napakahalaga para sa kahandaan ng ating bansa sa anumang insidente na tayo ay may sapat na suplay ng dugo, [It is very important that our country is ready for any incident and that we have enough supply of blood],” Gordon said.
The PRC said that for blood donations, blood requests, and other inquiries, they could be reached thru the PRC National Blood Services at nbs@redcross.org.ph or contact PRC Blood Call Center nationwide by dialing 143.