TACLOBAN CITY- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Leyte Chapter only serves as a blood collection unit.
Miguel Tezon, PRC Chapter president, informed that all the facilities used in processing the donated blood were damaged after Leyte was devastated by super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in 2013, thus from being a blood center, their agency here has been downgraded to just a collection unit.
However, Tezon pointed out that their office is ready to accept blood donations anytime which will then be transported to its office in Ormoc City which serves as its blood center.
Donated blood that undergo processing and ready to be donated stays in Ormoc blood center, he said.
The Leyte PRC Chapter will only have blood stocks enough for a day’s use, Tezon added.
He said that clients who need blood must bring with them doctor’s prescription to determine the kind of blood and unit needed by their patients.
Tezon also said that patients who go to their office needing blood must pay P1,800 for every 400ml.
The reason for the payment is for the processing of blood which needs medicine and chemical reagents.
Tezon informed that to date, PRC Leyte Chapter has an existing agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development which shoulders the payment for indigent patients.
The indigent patients must comply the documents requirements set by DSWD before they could issue a guarantee letter for the patients to avail free bags of blood.
The PRC, meantime, issue an appeal for individuals to continue to donate blood for them to help save lives.
Donating blood is a very safe procedure and is not harmful. The donor will be assessed for eligibility by medical personnel before donating blood. The donor must be at least 16 years old and weighing 110 lbs.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
