THE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said that the country already has enough blood supply even before Typhoon Odette hit the country.
According to PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Richard Gordon, blood supply is vital because there is no end for its need, especially among those hit by natural calamities like typhoons and earthquakes, where the PRC is among those who respond first.
The PRC head noted that there are already 1,540 PRC volunteers on the ground today, assisting typhoon victims by providing hot meals, food and other relief items.
The Red Cross also provides psychosocial support, first aid, hygiene kits and also helps in the conduct of search-and-rescue operations.
“Despite the ongoing pandemic and our Odette operations, we will continue to be at the forefront of providing aid to the most vulnerable, especially during emergencies. But it doesn’t end there, we will also continue with all our regular services as the need for blood never stops,” Gordon said.
The PRC, he said, has already prepared its blood facility even before Odette made landfall.
The agency has already sent a total of 220 units of blood supply to the facilities for blood service of various PRC Chapters, like 155 units of blood to PRC Cebu, 50 units to PRC Lapu-Lapu, and 15 units to PRC Negros Oriental, according to the PRC Blood Services.
Meanwhile, PRC Palawan already supplied blood to eight government and private hospitals in the province, equal to 127 units of blood.