ILOILO CITY — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Iloilo Chapter has reported a sharp increase in blood demand due to the rising dengue cases in Iloilo City and province since July 2024.
Over 170 requests for blood have been catered to dengue patients in August alone, according to Dr. Carlo Nolan Carrado, manager of the Western Visayas Regional Blood Center of PRC-Iloilo.
In response, Carrado called on individuals aged 18 to 60 to donate blood, highlighting the urgent need for whole blood, platelet concentrate, red blood cells, and fresh frozen plasma.
Blood donations can be made at the PRC-Iloilo center along Bonifacio Drive, City Proper or at various blood donation activities organized by local government units (LGUs), private partners, and hospitals.
From January to July, the blood center catered to 160 dengue cases, but the number spiked in August.
“We are asking for your help to donate blood here at the Red Cross or at our mobile blood donation activities held by different municipalities. Everyone is welcome, especially those between 18 to 60 years old who are healthy,” Carrado said.
Individuals aged 16-17 may also donate blood with parental consent. Those on maintenance medications, such as for high blood pressure, can still donate as long as they disclose their medical condition.
Carrado advised that donors should get eight hours of sleep, eat breakfast, drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol and smoking before donating blood.
The PRC-Iloilo collected 17,000 blood units from January to July this year and aims to reach 25,000 units by the end of 2024, with ongoing donation drives bolstered by LGUs, hospitals, and private partners.
The dengue outbreak in Western Visayas has been alarming, with the region recording 15,688 dengue cases and 31 fatalities from January 1 to August 17—a 199 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023, which saw 5,254 cases and 24 deaths.
A significant spike was noted from August 10 to 17, with 3,490 new cases.
Here’s the latest breakdown of dengue cases in the region:
· Aklan: 1,766 cases, 1 death
· Antique: 942 cases, 1 death
· Capiz: 1,581 cases, 5 deaths
· Guimaras: 1,320 cases, 1 death
· Iloilo: 6,069 cases, 13 deaths
· Iloilo City: 945 cases, 3 deaths
· Negros Occidental: 2,418 cases, 6 deaths
· Bacolod City: 647 cases, 1 death
