PRC Mission: Save Lives and Instill Hope
“Thank you for Saving my Life” is this year’s theme of the
Philippine Red Cross (PRC) celebration of World Blood Donors’ Month. Kapihan
guests on July 11, 2015 at NVC Carmen Hotel are: Dr. Cynthia C. de la Cruz, PRC
Chairman, Blood Services, Mr. Arif Grey G. Ruiz, Project Staff and Ms. Melanie
R. Rojo, Service Representative, Blood Bank.
Dr. de la Cruz cited vital heed of blood donation and
adequate blood reserve for contingencies that precious lives may be saved. In
2014, Aklan’s total blood units collected was 4, 650. This year, we are
targeting 5,500 units corresponding to one percent of the total population of
Aklan. The impact of climate change has resulted to catastrophic weather
aberration such as typhoons, floods, landslides, storm surges and drought.
“We are optimistic that with the help of municipal mayors
and civic organizations, our goal could be met”, said the lady physician. From
January to June 2015, we have practically achieved half of our target with 2,
466 units.
Since no one knows the occurrence of disasters or
emergencies it is wise to have blood kept in reserved for future personal use
or for our love ones. Qualified donors need to register and be examined by a
physician. He or she must be in good health, 16-65 years of age, 55 kgms,
normal blood pressure, and has no alcohol, fatty foods or medicine intake for
the last 24 hours. Regular blood donations could be safely done every three
months.
About 350-450 CC blood may be extracted, classified into
blood type and hemoglobin content. Disqualified to donate blood are those
infected with hepa B or C, syphilis, malaria and HIV. Rigid screenings are done
by health authorities to protect integrity and accuracy associated with blood
extraction and transfusion.
Ms. Rojo clarified that blood units dispensed by PRC is
free. However, processing fee of P1,800 per blood unit is collected to defray
cost of chemical reagents. In order to maintain healthy balance of reserved
stock, we require interested parties to bring in their walking blood donors,
Rojo added.
PRC services to the community include housing, health,
education, livelihoods and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. Mr. Ruiz
averred that 1, 355 core shelter units were completed and handed over to
beneficiaries of victims of super typhoon Yolanda. Another 750 units are in
various stages of completion in target municipalities of New Washington, Banga,
Madalag, Numancia, Balete and Lezo. Build better is the concept behind core
shelter program of PRC. This includes better design and use of indigenous
materials as wood, bamboo and concrete hollow blocks. Cost per core shelter is
P80, 000.
Partially damaged houses were fully rehabilitated with 6,900
units located in eight (8) municipalities. Recipients received P10, 000 cash
plus 10 pcs. GI corrugate sheets.
New Washington is the lone municipality where its school
building in the Poblacion was completely rehabilitated. School supplies such as
notebooks, pencils, and pad paper were provided to pupils.
Some 11 units of barangay health centers will be constructed
in Madalag, Balete, and New Washington.This would enable people from remote
areas to avail of medical services.
PRC has an on-going program called Red Cross 143 where
volunteers at barangay level undergo basic training on first aid, and disaster
risk reduction/preparedness. These capability training program provide timely
manpower support to reduce casualties.
Ms. Rojo said that although Aklan SP has passed a resolution
to establish and operate a Blood Bank at DRSTMH, the plan has not materialized
because of budgetary constraint. Machine separator to process blood into
plasma, platelets, and others cost millions of pesos and nine (9) medical
technologists will be needed.
While PRC is far ahead of other aid agencies in responding
to the needs of victims of typhoon Yolanda particularly in its core shelter
program, it makes people think that there is partiality or discrimination in selecting
beneficiaries. This is false.
Per advice of international donor countries, PRC will
terminate its core shelter program either August or September. It has been
almost two years since Yolanda struck and the whole Filipino nation gratefully
acknowledged international humanitarian assistance and support. /MP
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