QC malls to host blood donor booths

The Quezon City health department will be setting up blood donation booths in shopping malls to encourage more people to give their blood for patients stricken with dengue and other illnesses.

The city government has started coordinating with the management of SM malls in North Edsa, Cubao and Fairview; Trinoma on North Avenue; and Ever Gotesco mall on Commonwealth Avenue.

City health officer Dr. Antonieta Inumerable said that the Philippine Blood Center and hospitals would benefit from the renewed bloodletting drive, including Lung Center of the Philippines, Philippine Heart Center, St. Luke’s Medical Center, Quezon City General Hospital and Quirino Memorial Medical Center.

Inumerable said the health department conducts a monthly mass blood donation drive at Quezon City Hall and district health centers to ensure a steady supply of blood.

Data from the city’s epidemiology and surveillance unit showed that from Jan. to Aug.  20, there were 3,948 reported dengue cases in Quezon City with 29 deaths.

This year’s cases registered a 125 percent increase as compared to the same period in 2010.

Inumerable identified the barangays with the highest number of dengue cases as Bagbag, San Bartolome, Commonwealth, Batasan Hills, Gulod, Holy Spirit, Sauyo, Sta. Monica and Novaliches Proper.