Gov’t workers start massive bloodletting for dengue victims

ALARMED by the rising incidence of dengue, the government is mounting a nationwide blood donation drive spearheaded by the Philippine Information Agency which is conducting a parallel information drive in cooperation with the Departments of Health and Science and Technology, Philippine National Red Cross and local government units.

PIA Director-General Jose A. Fabia issued a memorandum instructing all regional directors and officers to conduct a weekly blood donation activity in their jurisdictions nationwide.

The agency will undertake or sponsor a Voluntary Blood Donation Day every Friday starting August 26, in coordination with the DoH, LGUs and the Philippine National Red Cross.

The official also instructed PIA regional directors to develop communication plans to encourage people to participate in the blood letting activity.

Likewise, PIA will assist LGUs in the mobilization of the citizenry in local communities’  clean-up activities, information drive against dengue with the health department, and in the promotion of an organic solution developed by DoST to prevent the spread  of dengue-carrying mosquitoes. The solution is placed in the DOST-developed Mosquito Ovicidal Larvicidal (OL) trap which is now being distributed widely after proving effective in killing dengue mosquito eggs and larvae.

Some LGUs are set to carry out their own bloodletting campaigns. Quezon City will hold tomorrow its “Dugo Para sa Dengue” blood donation drive. It aims to collect at least 100 bags of blood to be turned over to the Lung Center of the Philippines. The blood will be collected from local and barangay officials as well as city employees.

Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay also called for healthy citizens to do their share and donate blood to save the lives of dengue patients.

Based on records of the Department of Health, two out of five patients diagnosed with dengue need blood transfusion. While not all of them need blood, those with severe cases require at least 10-16 bags.

“I believe that like any other year, we will get through this dengue season but in order to do so with minimum fatalities, we need to help each other out, “ she said.

According to the World Health Organization’s Western Pacific Regional Office, at least 226 have died of dengue out of the 38,876 cases recorded in the Philippines as of August 6.

LGUs prodded

Malacañang renewed its appeal to local government units to keep their surroundings clean, and  prevent dengue-carrying mosquitoes from breeding.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte reminded LGUs  of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo’s order to conduct cleanups in communities.

“Nagko-coordinate ang DoH sa local government units natin. Si Secretary Robredo has ordered LGUs to conduct a cleanup. Importante lalo in certain areas, tumataas ang kaso. Importante manatiling malinis ang paligid," Valte said

The Palace official urged people to heed the DoH’s advice and bring their children to health centers or hospitals when they detect the symptoms of dengue.

“Dengue is no longer a seasonal disease. It is a year-round threat," she said.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo also earlier ordered local chief executives to take immediate steps to stop the spread of dengue.

In a directive, Robredo enjoined governors, city and municipal mayors along with their respective health officers to conduct clean-up activities to prevent the spread of the deadly illness.

Local officials were also urged to dredge clogged canals, esteros and other waterways; prune thick bushes or tree branches; remove or drain receptacles containing stagnant water; and conduct massive information drive on environmental control of breeding sites especially in endemic areas.    Joel dela Torre, Jester P. Manalastas, Efren Montano