Taguig advocates for voluntary blood donation

“Do not wait until the need arises,”

This is what Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano advocates as she, in behalf of the city government, signed a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Blood Disease and Transfusion Center (Philippine Blood Center) last June 9.

Under the said agreement, voluntary blood donations will be conducted every month as part of the local government’s efforts to provide a safe and adequate blood supply for the community.

According to Mayor Lani Cayetano, this partnership will help diminish deaths caused by blood loss because this will ensure that there will be enough blood in case of emergencies.

“Some people may consider donating blood as just a small act but for those in need of it, it is an extension of life,” Mayor Lani said, commending city officials and employees for setting an example to Taguigeños as they lead the city in voluntarily donating blood.

Dr. Isaias Ramos, City Health Office chief, also said that blood donation is a healthy practice since it helps determine whether the donor has an illness or disease of any kind. He added that “it not only helps oneself but also others who are in need of blood transfusion.”

In addition, Dr. Andres Bonifacio of the Philippine Blood Center said that the partnership with the city is a big and meaningful project of the blood center.

“I call this partnership ‘Kabalikat’ partnership because we will work together to fill the problem of insufficient blood supply,” Dr. Bonifacio said adding that part of the blood collected will be given free of charge to the city’s primary medical facility, Taguig Pateros District Hospital (TPDH).

Moreover, Dr. Bonifacio called Taguig as the “next home of unsung heroes of today’s generation of voluntary blood donation” hoping that the city will continue to partner with them with such activities.

HIV-AIDS testing and peer education was also conducted during the activity to raise awareness on the growing concern of HIV-AIDS in the country, especially among the youth.

“I encourage everyone to donate blood because without volunteers our community would not have enough blood supply. We should not wait until the need arises to help. It is our goal to have enough supply ready in times of need,” the local chief executive said. ####

FILIPINO VERSION:

Taguig isinulong ang  voluntary blood donation

“Huwag na ninyong hintayin na kayo’y mangailangan,”

Ito ang isinusulong ni Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano nang kanyang lagdaan ang memorandum of agreement sa Philippine Blood Disease and Transfusion Center (Philippine Blood Center) noong June 9.

Sa ilalim ng kasunduan, magsasagawa ng boluntaryong blood donation kada buwan bilang bahagi ng kampanya ng lokal na pamahalaan na magkaroon ng sapat na dami ng dugo  para sa komunidad.

Ayon kay Mayor Lani, ang kasunduang ito sa Philippine Blood Center ay nangangahulugang magkakaroon ng sapat na dami ng dugo at magpapababa sa mga insidente kung saan may namamatay sa emergency case dahil naubusan ng dugo.

“Para sa ibang tao ang pagbibigay ng dugo ay maliit na tulong lamang, subalit para sa mga nangangailangan, ito ay pandugtong ng buhay,” pahayag ito ni Mayor Lani na pinapurihan ang mga opisyal ng lungsod at ang mga kawani ng lokal na pamahalaan na nagpakita ng mabuting ehemplo sa mga Taguigueno nang sila ang manguna sa pagbibigay ng dugo.

Sinabi ni Dr. Isaias Ramos, hepe ng City Health Office na ang blood donation ay isang mabuting gawi dahil malalaman ng donor kung nagtataglay ito ng anumang karamdaman. Idinagdag pa nito na “hindi lamang ito nakatutulong sa sarili kundi maging sa iba na nangangailangang masalinan ng dugo.”

Sinabi naman ni Dr. Andres Bonifacio ng Philippine Blood Center na ang pakikipagtulungang ito sa lungsod ay malaki at makabuluhang proyekto ng blood center.

“Tinatawag ko ang pagtutulungang ito na ‘Kabalikat’ partnership dahil nagtutulungan kami para matugunan ang problema ng kakulangan sa suplay ng dugo,” sinabi pa ni Dr. Bonifacio na bahagi ng makukuhang dugo ay ibibigay nang libre sa Taguig Pateros District Hospital (TPDH).

Tinawag ni Dr. Bonifacio ang Taguig bilang “susunod na tahanan ng mga bayani ng kasalukuyang henerasyon ng voluntary blood donation” na kanyang inaasahan na patuloy na makikipagtulungan sa kanila.

Isinabay din sa aktibidad ang HIV-AIDS testing at pagbibigay ng impormasyon tungkol dito sa layuning maitaas ang kaalaman ng publiko lalo na ng mga kabataan.

“Hinihimok ko ang lahat na magbigay ng dugo dahil kung walang mga volunteer na gagawa nito ay hindi magkakaroon ng sapat na dami ng dugo ang ating komunidad. Layunin natin na makakuha ng sapat na dami ng dugo na magagamit sa oras ng pangangailangan,” pahayag pa ng alkalde ng Taguig. ###