TACLOBAN CITY-- A regional blood center will soon rise at the new Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) complex, the Department of Health (DOH) here confirmed on Monday.
DOH Regional Director Minerva Molon said in an interview that the government-funded project will be situated at the 5,000-square meter property of the Department of Health in Cabalawan village.
“A usufruct agreement was already signed between officials of the regional office and the central office allowing us to use the property for 50 years and subject for renewal,” Molon said.
The facility will ensure blood adequacy in the region in support to the universal health care and adequate health care provisions in Eastern Visayas.
At least 40,000 units of blood is needed as reserves for the region’s more than four million population or at least one percent of the total population of the region regularly donating blood.
Currently, Eastern Visayas has been collecting at least 8,000 blood units a year. A unit of blood is equivalent to approximately one pint or 450 milliliters.
Once operational, the blood center will collect blood from walk-in donors to ensure enough supply in the region for emergency use, hence, minimizing the conduct of bloodletting activities.
To meet the blood demand in the region, Molon said that one of the advocacies is to convince husbands of pregnant women to donate blood for possible use during deliveries.
“Our advocacy to them is very strong because blood is very important when their wife is having problem on the delivery of their child. The husband’s blood can save the life of his wife,” Molon said.
She added that aside from the blood center, the DOH will also construct their regional office within the EVRMC complex along with cancer center and administrative building. (PNA)
