DOH working to achieve WHO goal of 100% blood supply from voluntary, unpaid donors by 2020

It’s World Blood Donor Day on June 14.

With this year’s theme "Safe Blood for All," Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Tuesday said they are working to achieve 100% voluntary non-remunerated blood donations by next year, as envisioned by the World Health Organization.

"The safest blood donors are voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors from low-risk populations. The World Health Organization’s goal is for all countries to obtain all their blood supplies through voluntary unpaid donors, in accordance with World Health Assembly resolution 28.72, which was adopted back in 1975," the UN agency says on its website.

Duque said that in 2017, they received one million blood units.

Senator Richard Gordon, chair of the Philippine Red Cross, encouraged everyone to donate blood. He said the Red Cross planned to put up more blood banks across the country.

He also appealed to hospitals not to require patients, especially those in life-and-death situations, to find two blood donors first before they can withdraw from the blood bank.

“Baka kung sino lang ang kunin nila sa kalye,” Gordon warned.

Dr. Gundo Weiler, World Health Organization country representative, praised the Philippines for “good continued mobilization.”

Weiler cited that in 2018, there were 12 blood donations per month for every 1,000 population, which was better than other middle-income countries that averaged 8 donations per month for every 1,000 population.

The challenge now, Weiler says, is to increase donations. In high-income countries, there are 15 donations per month for every 1,000 population.

Anyone who is at least 16 years old can donate blood. Donors who have donated multiple times may donate until they are 65.

Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds, and must be physically and mentally fit. — BM, GMA News