KALIBO, Aklan-- The Philippines will have a better blood donation programs soon which hopes for more access to the poor and those in need.
This was the gist of the message by Dr. Mary Ann Sta. Lucia, regional coordinator for Western Visayas of the National Volunteer for Blood Support Program of the Center for Health and Development.
Sta. Lucia said, better blood programs could be attained as the country is commissioning some nucleic acid testing to several regional health centers in the country. One of those regional centers will be in Corazon Montelibano Hospital in Bacolod City.
Nucleic acid testing is a molecular technique for screening blood donations to reduce the risk of transfusion transmitted infections in the recipients, thus providing an additional layer of blood safety.
Sta. Lucia came in Aklan on Saturday night, April 13, during the first gala dinner of the new officers and board of directors of the Aklan Blood and Coordinating Council.
“Currently, blood donations are being remunerated in many parts of the country. We wanted to stay away from such practice. We wanted to see the Philippines that practices voluntary blood donations,” she said.
She also urged the millennial to practice blood donation as such practice also contributes to the health and well-being of the donors. (Jun Aguirre/ SunStar Philippines)