Ospital ng Palawan (ONP) conducted its first bloodletting activity, “1st Dugong Alay, Dugtong Buhay” last February 13, 2015 at ONP Training Room.
The bloodletting activity was initiated to make blood readily available at Philippine Red Cross, Palawan Chapter. This is done in order to help our kababayans and ONP patients who are in need of blood transfusions either for surgical use, correction of anemia due to various causes, massive bleeding and any other indications. Several of
these patients are coming from different municipalities all over Palawan, as a referral from our partner health agencies. Many of them do not have relatives or any acquaintance in Puerto Princesa City who can donate blood for them. Hence, causing a delay in medical management, prolong treatment, or worst can lead to death.
Ospital ng Palawan (ONP) together with its partnership with Philippine Red Cross Palawan Chapter and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) made this event possible and successful. The activity started at eight (8) in the morning. Several men and women of AFP, ONP, Red Cross and walk-in blood donors selflessly offered themselves
and be a part of this great event.
Before starting the event, a Doxology followed by the singing of National Anthem took place. In behalf of Dr. Melecio N. Dy, MD, MPH, OIC, Medical Center Chief I of ONP, Dr. Eugeselvin R. Agustin, MD, FPSMSI, Chief of Medical Professional Staff rendered his welcome message and delivered his gratitude to the blood donors stressing
that AFP is close to his heart because his father was also a former member of AFP. The bloodletting activity proper started thereafter.
There were registration of participants and facilitators, interview of blood donors, vital signs taking and laboratory screening by Red Cross Staff, ONP Doctors like Dr. Ophelia O. Nufuar, Dr. Perla P. Banzuela, and Dr. Anne Marie Tangalin also conducted the physical examination, they were later joined by Dr. Leovino Acharon.
A total of eighty-one (81) blood donors registered, however only forty-five (45) successfully passed the screening due to various reasons. Of the 45 donors, forty-one (41) successfully completed filling up the blood bag, four (4) of which failed for some reasons.
All blood donors were handed a certificate of appreciation and a token as a way of extending ONP’s deep appreciation for their willingness to share themselves to help other people and save lives. Facilitators offered food and drinks, as well, to provide energy and hydration after they donated blood. The facilitators were represented by
some staff of ONP, Red Cross Palawan Chapter, and Palawan Provincial Health Office (PHO).
The activity ended at twelve (12) noon. Overall, it was a day filled with inspiration and motivation. As Mitch Albom, author of the Five People You Meet in Heaven, says, “Sometimes when you sacrifice something precious, you’re not really losing it. You’re just passing it on to someone else.” (Claudette Liggayu-Licerio, RN, MSN)
