MANILA, Philippines – Policemen have been asked to donate blood amid the rising number of dengue cases in the country, an official said Thursday.
Police Deputy Director General Nicanor Bartolome, chief of the Directorial Staff of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said Thursday.
Bartolome said that because of the increase in the incidence of dengue, blood supply for patients hasn’t been enough. Dengue is a disease transmitted by a genus of mosquitoes called the Aedes aegypti in which the victim experiences high fever, rash, headache, and severe muscle and joint pain. In worst cases, internal hemorrhage can occur, causing severe loss of blood by the patient, consequently resulting in death. Blood transfusion is one form of treatment.
“This will be PNP’s participation in fighting the increasing dengue cases,” said Bartolome in an interview.
He said the PNP’s priority would be “regions with high dengue cases.”
He said they were processing the guidelines for their bloodletting drive.
“There will be blood testing because not all officers are qualified,” said Bartolome.
He said the PNP was considering the Philippine Blood Center or the Philippine Red Cross to be our partners.