TACLOBAN CITY – The Regional Blood Center at Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) continues to face a critical shortage of blood supply, a situation aggravated by limited support from some local government units (LGUs), according to Roland Gorgonia, head of the EVMC Blood Bank.
Gorgonia expressed concern that blood donation campaigns are not a priority for many local chief executives, making it difficult to ensure a stable supply of blood, which is vital in saving lives, especially during emergencies. This challenge has become even more pressing as dengue cases in the region surge.
As of September 17, the Department of Health (DOH) in the region reported 11,624 cases of dengue fever in the region—a staggering 314 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023.
The outbreak has claimed 23 lives, with the rising number of critical cases driving up the demand for platelets.
“Platelets have a very short shelf life, expiring after just five days,” Gorgonia said. “We prepare as much as we can for our dengue patients, but it’s often not enough to meet the demand.”
Regular mobile blood donation drives are held to bolster the region’s blood reserves, but these efforts still fall short of meeting the growing need.
According to Gorgonia, the support from LGUs is inconsistent, with some units contributing only minimal quantities, while others lack the necessary funds to organize blood drives at all.
“Blood donation is not a priority program for some LGUs, and many don’t have the budget to conduct it effectively,” Gorgonia added.
He noted that the shortage becomes particularly severe during the fiesta season in May and the holiday months of December and January.
In an effort to address the shortage, DOH-8 has implemented the School Blood Olympics, a program launched in partnership with public and private colleges and universities across Eastern Visayas.
While the program helps increase blood collection, its primary aim is to instill the value of blood donation in the younger generation.
“Our goal is to encourage students to become lifelong blood donors, so they can help save lives,” said Winnie Dorego, DOH-8’s Regional Blood Service Program Coordinator.
“Blood donation is not just the responsibility of LGUs—it’s something the entire community should be involved in.”
Last year, Saint Paul School for Business Professionals was recognized for its efforts, collecting 93 bags of blood during the one-day event. This year, the School Blood Olympics has been extended from March to December to engage more students and significantly boost blood collection efforts.
“Many students want to donate; we just need to strengthen our advocacy and expand programs like this,” Dorego emphasized.
Despite these initiatives, Gorgonia and Dorego continue to call on the public and local governments to step up their support for blood donation campaigns.
They stress that sustained participation from all sectors is essential in maintaining a reliable blood supply and saving lives in Eastern Visayas.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
