Friday, January 05, 2007

Commercial Blood Banks Closure For Full Implementation


The "Closure of Commercial Blood Banks" will be fully implemented this year, 2007 in accordance with the Supreme Court ruling. Ms. Arcely P. Pelayo chapter administration, Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Aklan chapter revealed last week.
To ensure the orderly implementation of the closure of commercial blood banks, the closure will be done per concerned region upon the certification of readiness by the Center for Health Development (CHD) director.
The area is said to be ready for the closure when: 1. Assured availability of blood units from the blood service facilities like the DOH & LGU Blood Centers/Hospital Blood Banks, PNRC; 2. There is effective and responsive system for the hospitals/health facilities which administer blood to access blood from the blood service facilities, and 3. social preparedness and media campaign on blood safety and benefits of voluntary blood donation.
The DOH will facilitate the re-employment of commercial blood bank personnel in health facilities to minimize the impact of commercial blood bank closure. It will also assist in leasing or procurement of the blood bank equipment of commercial blood banks by the PNRC.
According to Francisco T. Duque III, Secretary of Health, some strategies will be strengthened to ensure the supply of safe blood which are: 1. Advocacy on the benefits of voluntary blood donation and healthy lifestyle; 2. recruitment and retention of voluntary blood donors; 3. regular and efficient community based mobile blood donations; and 4. intensified community–based or walk–in voluntary blood donations.
In order to utilize properly the blood supply in the hospital and other health facilities, the following will be vigorously pursued: Promotion of rational use of blood and component therapy. 2. Proper blood stocks inventory management; and 3. Network with and among blood service facilities, hospitals and other health facilities for sharing of blood resources and avoidance of wastage. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com

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