ASSISTANCE Richard Gordon leads an inspection by the Red Cross.
MANILA, Philippines — Amid the new coronavirus crisis, patients’ need for blood transfusions has not stopped, which is why the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is appealing to people to keep on donating blood.
“I am appealing to all to give blood to the Red Cross. All our centers are open,” Sen. Richard Gordon, the PRC chair, said in a phone interview.
The Luzon quarantine has shut down transportation and prevented many people from going out of their houses, which is why the PRC has resorted to fetching donors from their homes to bring them to the centers to get their blood, he said.
On Twitter, Gordon said the PRC could also deploy mobile blood collecting units to communities.
It had sent a mobile blood collecting unit to Ateneo de Manila University and students stuck in the dormitories donated blood.
He is making similar arrangements with the University of the Philippines.
Gordon said those who wish to donate blood may call the PRC’s 143 hotline or (+632) 8790-2300.
Donors would be screened first to check if they are qualified. Those with recent travel history abroad would not be allowed to give blood until 14 days after their arrival.
The PRC would follow guidelines to ensure the safety of the blood donation procedure, such as physical distancing. INQ