Hospitals sign deal on free blood supply from Red Cross

STO. TOMAS -- Officials of government hospitals in Pampanga signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) here over the weekend.

The signing was done in a bid to provide free blood supply for indigent patients confined in government-controlled hospitals in the province.

It was led by PNRC chairman Richard Gordon and Pampanga Committee on Health chair Monina Laus at the Funnside Ningnangan Restaurant here.

Witnessing the event were officials of the PNRC and Sto. Tomas Mayor Joselito Naguit.

Laus said the agreement will give indigents here easy access to blood supply in times of medical emergencies. She added that the move will also save patients’ families time and money in looking for blood supply.

The PNRC said in its website that in addition, monetary donations through the Blood Samaritan Project of the Red Cross are always welcome to help ensure that blood banks can continue providing safe blood to those in need, most especially to indigent patients.

Meanwhile, Gordon urged Kapampangans to help in the blood donation programs of the PNRC in Pampanga and Angeles City, stressing that donating blood ensures the continuity of one of the basic programs of the PNRC.

At present, the Philippine Red Cross provides six major services: Blood Services, Disaster Management Services, Safety Services, Community Health and Nursing Services, Social Services, and the Volunteer Services.

The PNRC also led the distribution of relief goods to 1,000 flood victims here over the weekend as part of their core service program for social services.