Before, I've been hearing stories of how blood (or blood donor) is urgently needed, especially in cases such as accidents involving excessive loss of blood or for Leukemia patients. In movies, a blood donor is truly a heaven sent.
It never dawned unto me the reality of blood supply crisis in the Philippines. Not until 6 months ago, when my mom was undergoing dialysis treatment and her hemoglobin count went down to 65.
She was instructed to undergo blood transfusion. Her blood type is A Rh+. Rh+ are rare in the Philippines. So the search for available blood has been a difficult task for me. But I think it is valuable to share my experience with people who needs blood, maybe not now... but possibly later.
Most hospitals have enough units of blood (depending on component) to sustain an emergency situation. For private hospitals, the cost for blood used during emergency cases is higher compared to a non-emergency incidents. But when the supplies run low, the patient who do not urgently need a blood transfusion needs to outsource the blood units.
There goes the independent blood banks. But since in the Philippines, blood banks compliance to health standards are not closely monitored, it is wise enough not to consider getting blood from them.
I tried Philippine National Red Cross blood bank located in Port Area, Manila(PNRC). Before you'll be able to get blood from them, you must present the following details, together with the Doctor's written request:
Name, Age/Gender,Citizenship, Diagnosis, Blood type, #of units and blood component, contact person/contact # and address,Requesting physician’s signature.
Confirm availability of blood afterwards through phone# 5270861. Price of blood per unit varies depending on component. One unit of packed RBC usually cost php 1,100 (for Rh Negative blood types), leucocyte reduced component, on the otherhand, costs Php 1600 per unit (also for Rh Negative blood types).
I was able to get one bag from them sometime in February 2009. But around August, They ran out of blood donors so we have to get blood somewhere else.
I asked around the National Kidney Transplant Institute. Their blood banks are not selling blood. But you can avail of blood units only if you bring a donor with you. The Donor's blood type need not to be of same blood type as the one you are requesting. But you have to shoulder the screening fee for the donor (Php 1700/unit). The screening and blood donation must be completed 2 days prior to the pickup of the requested blood unit.
Some hospitals also do the same when you request blood units from them. Some are not asking for any screening fee.
If you are looking for blood donors, you can check the Philippine Blood Registry
It never dawned unto me the reality of blood supply crisis in the Philippines. Not until 6 months ago, when my mom was undergoing dialysis treatment and her hemoglobin count went down to 65.
She was instructed to undergo blood transfusion. Her blood type is A Rh+. Rh+ are rare in the Philippines. So the search for available blood has been a difficult task for me. But I think it is valuable to share my experience with people who needs blood, maybe not now... but possibly later.
Most hospitals have enough units of blood (depending on component) to sustain an emergency situation. For private hospitals, the cost for blood used during emergency cases is higher compared to a non-emergency incidents. But when the supplies run low, the patient who do not urgently need a blood transfusion needs to outsource the blood units.
There goes the independent blood banks. But since in the Philippines, blood banks compliance to health standards are not closely monitored, it is wise enough not to consider getting blood from them.
I tried Philippine National Red Cross blood bank located in Port Area, Manila(PNRC). Before you'll be able to get blood from them, you must present the following details, together with the Doctor's written request:
Name, Age/Gender,Citizenship, Diagnosis, Blood type, #of units and blood component, contact person/contact # and address,Requesting physician’s signature.
Confirm availability of blood afterwards through phone# 5270861. Price of blood per unit varies depending on component. One unit of packed RBC usually cost php 1,100 (for Rh Negative blood types), leucocyte reduced component, on the otherhand, costs Php 1600 per unit (also for Rh Negative blood types).
I was able to get one bag from them sometime in February 2009. But around August, They ran out of blood donors so we have to get blood somewhere else.
I asked around the National Kidney Transplant Institute. Their blood banks are not selling blood. But you can avail of blood units only if you bring a donor with you. The Donor's blood type need not to be of same blood type as the one you are requesting. But you have to shoulder the screening fee for the donor (Php 1700/unit). The screening and blood donation must be completed 2 days prior to the pickup of the requested blood unit.
Some hospitals also do the same when you request blood units from them. Some are not asking for any screening fee.
If you are looking for blood donors, you can check the Philippine Blood Registry
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