After personal protective equipment, blood supply follows in medical needs experiencing a shortage in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

“Mobile blood drives have been suspended and the number of volunteer donors have sharply declined. However, the demand for blood remains constant,” the hospital shared in their recent call for donations.

Due to the lack of blood supply in light of the enhanced community quarantine, it was also revealed that nurses and doctors have been personally and selflessly donating blood for their patients at the hospital.

With this rising concern, the hospital called on residents in the National Capital Region to help them in sustaining blood supply for PGH patients.

Encouraging blood donation while ensuring social distancing measures, those willing to help are asked to make an appointment via the PGH Blood Bank, whose contact details are as follows:

PGH is in need of blood donors. Due to the absence of donors, nurses and doctors are donating blood for their patients. Please contact the numbers below. | @jovicyeeINQ pic.twitter.com/nl9yJPEi0b

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) March 23, 2020

Among the requirements for donors are being in a healthy condition and having no pre-existing illnesses like heart and blood diseases, tuberculosis, malaria and more. They must also not have gotten a fever or any infections such as cough, colds or vomiting one week prior to their donation.

Recently, PGH has been designated as one of the three COVID-19 referral centers in Metro Manila. Together with Dr. Jose M. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium in Caloocan City and Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City, they will cater exclusively to COVID-19 patients.

Through a statement, PGH Director Gerardo Legaspi announced that “admission to the referral center will initially be limited to mild PUIs who are at high risk for deterioration (above 60 years of age and/or with comorbidities) and moderate to critical PUIs.”

He also added that when the testing for COVID-19 is made readily available, only confirmed COVID-19 patients will be sent to the referral centers.

Header photo by Hush Naidoo on Unsplash

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