Davao del Norte reviews services of blood bank to its constituents

Island Garden City of Samal, October 24, 2014 - Davao del Norte  Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Ways and Means and Games and Amusement  Chair Alfredo D. De Veyra together with the Provincial Economic  Enterprise Development Office Department Head Ma. Eliza L. Andin and team led the public hearing on the new blood bank rates at Barangay Villarica Gym, Babak District on October 21.

The public hearing aimed to present the proposed provincial ordinance amending the provincial ordinance no. 2005-004, prescribing the laboratory and blood bank rates as prescribed by section 35, chapter VII, Administrative Order no. 9 series of 1995, on rules and regulations implementing R.A. no. 7719.

Blood Bank Division Head Teresita D. Abada gave a clear and comprehensive presentation on the remarkable milestones achieved by the blood bank program from its humble beginnings   and becoming the leading bloodbank in Mindanao.

Abada  said  that in the  proposed ordinance, blood donors could readily avail their needed blood for free while non-donors borrowing from the blood pool will be paying the blood processing fee of P1,000 for the fresh whole blood, P850 for the packed red blood cell, P450  for platelet concentrate and P400 for the fresh frozen plasma. On the other hand, non-donors and non-borrowers, walk-in donors with patient and non-residents of Davao del Norte availing blood from the blood pool will be paying higher blood processing fee to be availed in any government of private hospitals compared to that of the donors.

During the open forum, some of the participants expressed difficulty of Samal Island  donors or users to avail the blood from Tagum blood station considering its  distance  to Samal Island  that  could  incur more expenses in transportation and time,  however,  Abada emphasized the importance of  ensuring  safe and quality blood and to observe proper handling and transporting of the blood unit.

To facilitate the availability of needed blood, she assured that blood can be availed in Davao del Norte Hospital Samal Zone only if the patient is admitted in the hospital but buying the blood and transporting it to other hospital is a big No for the protection of the patient and added that maybe in the near future  DdN Hospital Samal Zone would be capable to establish a blood bank of its own.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod and PEEDO Team were grateful to the support and cooperation of the  local government,  barangays, volunteers particularly the blood donors in supporting the program  and asked continuous  support for its sustainability and blood sufficiency in  the province. (MTA Samal cio)