Saturday, December 20, 2008 PNRC cracks down on fly-by-night blood banks
THE Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) conducted Friday a crackdown on fly-by-night commercial blood banks to ensure that blood transfused to patients are safe.
PNRC chairman and Senator Richard Gordon asked concerned government agencies to initiate efforts to eliminate establishments that collect blood supplies for a fee.
“The Department of Health (DOH) should immediately implement the closure of these commercial blood banks. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) should pursue a crackdown on commercial blood banks that proliferate and exist for profit and sell unsafe blood,” Gordon said.
He ordered the crackdown as fly-by-night blood banks continue to mushroom in the country.
The senator explained that unlike the Red Cross’ program on blood service, commercial blood banks are based on profits instead of the spirit of volunteerism.
“These establishments that promote paid blood donations are unsafe for transfusion and may lead to the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other transfusion transmitted-diseases,” he said.
The PNRC blood drive, according to Gordon, performs blood tests for malaria, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B and C before accepting blood donations.
He also said the PNRC is continuing its efforts to have a wider reach nationwide by having 72 facilities located in strategic areas.
The internationally linked organization also said there is enough blood supplies in the country despite the months of December being considered a lean month for bloodletting.
PNRC records showed there is a trend the number of blood bags being collected has been increasing with the year 2007 tallying 187,352 bags, which is an increase from 2006’s 150,641 units. (MSN/Sunnex)
