Defense, DOH sign blood supplies agreement

MANILA, Philippines - The military and the Department of Health(DOH) on Monday signed an agreement that institutionalizes voluntary blood donation to ensure enough supply of quality blood for patients including wounded soldiers.

The agreement is pursuant to Republic Act no. 7719 or National Blood Services Act, which promotes voluntary blood donation and regulates commercial blood banks.

Under the agreement, soldiers will donate blood to the DOH-Philippine Blood Center, which will provide all supplies, equipment and personnel needed for bloodletting activities.

“We are going to request the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to donate blood voluntarily. In return we will do all technical activities so we can increase the quality of blood and blood products to be given to patients in need,” said Andres Bonifacio, officer-in-charge of the Philippine Blood Center.

The military will get 30 percent of the total blood units collected within a year to improve the chances of survival of injured soldiers.

“Knowing that supply of blood is now readily available with the signing of this agreement, we are more confident that the chance of survival of our soldiers wounded in battle will increase significantly,” AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said in a statement.

The agreement also aims to prevent the spread of infections and blood transmissible diseases like HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and malaria through the conduct of blood screenings.

“The risk of transmission of infections in voluntary donors is lower compared to that in paid donors,” Bonifacio said.

The agreement was signed in Camp Aguinaldo General Headquarters Building by Bonifacio and Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel Rear Adm. Philip Cacayan, who represented the AFP.

The AFP has been conducting bloodletting activities among its personnel to maintain a regular supply of blood for soldiers and their civilian dependents.

In the AFP Medical Center alone, a total of 2,220 bags or 999,000 cc of blood were donated last year. – Alexis Romero