The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday stressed the importance of adequate and safe supply of blood in health facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Marami sa ating mga kababayan ang nakasalalay sa steady supply ng dugo sa mga ospital. At kung sakaling maubusan ay di na sila makakayanang masuportahan pa (Many of our citizens are dependent on the steady supply of blood in hospitals. In case we run out, we may not be able to support them),” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire disclosed.
“Napaka importante na siguraduhing patuloy ang pagpasok ng new and fresh blood supply dahil sa araw-araw, malaki ang nagagamit ng mga pasyente (It is very important to ensure the continuous entry of new and fresh blood supply since patients use a great amount daily),” she added.
Among the kinds of blood products used in some COVID-19 referral hospitals is the convalescent plasma which the DOH claimed as critical for COVID-19 treatment.
Dr. Pedrito Tagayuna of the Philippine Blood Center explained the said type of blood transfusion from a COVID-19 survivor may help a patient who is still fighting the virus. Tagayuna said the procedure is safe since it has been utilized even during the Spanish Flu and Ebola outbreak, but is still investigational.
The National Voluntary Blood Service also encouraged the public to donate blood in celebration of the World Blood Donor Day on June 14. The DOH assured there is no cause of worry on the safety of the procedure since all facilities follow the minimum public health standards.
Possible donors of convalescent plasma may reach them through 8995-3846 loc. 209-217.
Meanwhile, the health department announced that as of June 10, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country reached 23,732 after 452 fresh cases and 288 late cases were reported. The death toll climbed to 1,027 after 10 patients died, while recovery count increased to 4,895 after 159 new recoveries were added.