BONTOC, Mountain Province – A total of 19,800 cc of blood or 44 bags from the 44 donors were collected during the blood-letting activity last Feb. 13 at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol Auditorium.
These include seventeen units of Type O+, four units of Type AB, 17 units of Type B+, and six units of Type A, which will be turned over to the Philippine Red Cross-Mountain Province Chapter.
Medical Technologist II Cecilia Stella Matiw of the MHO said the collected units of blood will be screened for blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis, HIV, and malaria.
Once screened, the donated blood can be availed of by patients at the Bontoc General Hospital, Paracelis District Hospital, and those who need blood transfusion.
Matiw said five donors were deferred due to quality not sufficient, low hemoglobin, low weight, high blood pressure, and positive alcohol beverage intake.
The donation activity was participated by the uniformed personnel, government employees, youth, Sangguniang Kabataan officials in the municipality, and other donors.
Mayor Jerome Tudlong, Jr. thanked the donors, referring to them as heroes.
“Giving blood is a heroic life-saving act of solidarity to improve the lives of patients suffering from life-threatening conditions and to support medical and surgical procedures.
Maintaining a regular supply of blood in our facilities is essential to ensure that safe and adequate blood supply is readily available for those who may need it,” the mayor added.
Likewise, he expressed his appreciation to the entire workforce during the activity.
Municipal Health Officer, Dr. Diga Kay Gomez, joined Tudlong in extending gratitude to the blood donors, along with the workforce.
Bannering the theme “Feb-ibig: Du-gong alay, karugtong ay buhay”, the blood donation drive was initiated by the Local Youth Developmental Office and Municipal Health Office in collaboration with the PRC-Mountain Province Chapter, Department of Health provincial office-Human Resource for Health, and Provincial Health Office.
As a gesture of appreciation for their invaluable contribution, the blood donors received tokens and certificates. – Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay and Aprilyn Tudlong
