"Every man must decide wether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness."

NAGA CITY embraces Blood Program

Known for its innovative programs, THE City Government of Naga headed by Mayor Jesse M. Robredo has embraced just recently the Voluntary Blood Donation Program being espoused under Republic Act 7719.
On January 6, 2009, the City Council unanimously supported the passage of City Ordinance No. 2009-002 entitled “ An Ordinance Establishing Voluntary Blood Program in the City of Naga and Appropriating Funds Thereof”. It was subsequently approved by the City Mayor on January 15, 2009.
Councilor Nathan Sergio was the principal author of the ordinance, with Councilors Lourdes Asence (Chair, Committee on Health) and Jose Mari Mercado (Chair, Committee on Barangay Affairs) as co-authors. “We aim to institutionalize the program in every barangay in Naga City, from Panicuason to Sabang and from San Isidro to Mabolo”, they said.

Among salient features of the ordinance are: (1) the grant of authority for the Mayor to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with BMC; (2) the designation of BMC as main Blood Bank, with the Naga City Hospital functioning as Blood Bank; (3) the mandatory close coordination with PNRC and other hospitals in Naga City; (4) the active participation of the barangays and public health workers; (5) the creation of a Local Blood Council; (6) the establishment and maintenance of Blood Donor Registry and other related records; and (7) the initial funding of P100,000.00 for this year and regular funding thereafter in the city’s Annual Budget in such amount as are necessary.
To start the ball rolling for this program, the City Mayor issued Executive Order No. 2009-001 designating Councilor Sergio as Program Director with the tasks of performing the specific duties stated in Section 13 of the Ordinance, foremost of which is the establishment of a functional relationship with various program partners and stakeholders.
Sergio himself is an advocate of voluntary blood donation. Though a polio victim, he is a regular blood donor, giving blood two to three times a year.
Last week, Sergio met with Dr. Ray Ibarrientos, BMC-NVBSP Head, Mario Chavez—BMC Blood Program Coordinator and Ms Mina Sacdal to plan a seminar-workshop for Barangay Health Workers (BHW) and a Mobile Blood Donation this coming February, and to brainstorm on a big city event on June 14, 2009 in the occasion of World Blood Donor Day.

100% Voluntary Blood Donation

The year 2009 is a significant year for the Blood Program because of the transitional period set by the World Health Organization and the Department of Health prior to the full implementation of the 100 per cent Voluntary Blood Donation by 2010.
The Republic Act 7719 otherwise known as the “National Blood Services Act of 1994” was passed by the Philippine Congress and enacted by the Senate in 1994. The program is implemented by three players, namely: the Department of Health, the Philippine National Red Cross and the Philippine Blood Coordinating Council, with the World Health Organization setting its standards and quality assurance. Since then, the NVBSP had been struggling to come up with the best strategies and approach to promote and establish the blood program.
The Bicol Regional Blood Program, like in most part of the country has its share of ups and downs. Although we are seated on a much better position if not the best compared to any other Regional Blood Center in terms of percentage of voluntary blood collection, there is so much to be done and needed to reach the national goal in 2010. These are some of the compelling factor that makes the DOH-NVBSP appreciates the role of the BMC - NVBSP and the Regional Blood Center to the Blood Program.
Limited funds and resources are major issue that needs to be addressed. Furthermore, a Regional Collection target should be done to estimate the number of units needed in the Blood Service Facilities in the area. In relation, Naga City needs an estimated of at least 12,000 units annually. Collective efforts of the technical working personnel and network members for proper documentation and reporting shall be done in order to get the real perspective of the program.
The Bicol Medical Center Blood Bank and Transfusion Service had implemented the zero replacement policy and enforced the 100% voluntary blood collection since November 2008. It is ironic that other private hospitals within the network continue to entertain replacement and directed donation up to this date.
Another issue to be addressed is the component preparation and the appropriate use of blood by our dear physicians. This would in a way limit the unnecessary use and spoilage of blood and its component and promote rational use.
The Regional goal by 2010 of 100% voluntary blood donation needs much support and hard work. Zero replacement policy could only be done through a proper strategic planning and implementation. This should consider the Region’s geographic details, residents’ cultural diversity, resources at hand and political climate. A concerted effort to involve everyone in the community is much needed. It is only a few months before 2010 and the Department of Health’s goal maybe a dream to some, but achievable to the most Camarinenses.

MBD-Advocacy campaign on Voluntary Blood Donation

Mobile Blood Donation activity was conducted after the Seminar Workshop on Donor Recruitment, Retention and Care, attended by BHW representatives from 27 barangays of Naga, held at San Felipe Barangay Hall last March 6, 2009.

Meet the Pep-Talkers...

Pep-Talkers!? The BMC-NVBSP has it all. The team is composed of med techs and nurses as Blood Donor Recruiters. Each has its own forte of topic and target agencies to orient on Voluntary Blood Donation.
Headed by our very own, young and energetic Dr. Raymund Ibarrientos, he always see to it that all the things needed for MBD and advocacy is set before departure. Mar Chavez as Blood Program Coordinator schedules all activities of NVBSP and coordinates with all the staff regarding the operation from paper works to actual deployment of personnel.
Our BB Nurse coordinator, Joemy Carpo, sometimes addressed as “Tatay” Joemy, maybe because of his fatherly persona, is responsible for all the leg-working and follow ups of the requests of the different municipalities, barangays and NGO,s wherein we have MOA’s on Blood Program.”Hindi pwedeng hindi, lahat pwede”, that’s his statement and that makes him positive in all aspect. I can say that it helps our operation in some way because of being positive.
Med Techs as cold chain officers in the person of JM Bergonio and Ivy Buendia is responsible for the packing and transport of blood units collected from MBD’s. Double bags and single bags are their line of checking for component preparation, specimen for serology, and so on, as long as it is about blood. In the absence of these two guys during MBD’s, Sheryl Brutas will take charge.
The newly wed Ms Lea Opiana-Arevalo, the evercharmingly smart lad Ms Jan Formaliza, the exquisite bright lady Ms Mina Sacdal and the computer wizard Ms Dulce Narvadez are our four little and big sisters in the Blood Bank. They were residues in beauty contests and computer enthusiasts and finally found their interests in a vocation like the NVBSP, and of saving lives.
They are now professional and effective pep talkers and blood donor recruiters in their own special designated assignments. “Wala ka ng hahanapin pa sa kanila” ika nga. They are the light of our team.
In our advocacy on voluntary blood donation, communication skills is the most effective way on relaying the message of the program, and that is the talent of Chester Velasco, one of our staff, to communicate and give lectures to our clients, be it professionals, elementary and college students and most specially to the people in the barangays. He can effectively deliver it all to where it should be.
Of course, we can never reached our destined place for our cause without our BB driver, Arnel Francisco, who has been with our team not only as a driver but also an all around errand, “basta may gloves sir, mayong problema”.
Our team is committed; energized by our desire to serve and extend help to those who are in need, we will continue to SAVE LIVES...we are the Pep Talkers!
-Mar Chavez

BMC - nvbsp - Blood Program

Bicol Medical Center
National Voluntary Blood Services Program
Blood Bank and Transfusion Service
Naga City

Big Leap for 2009: 100% Voluntary Blood Donation is implemented in Bicol Medical Center.
As a result to the never-ending commitment of the Blood Bank Staff who has been on in action for the past months and its unique scheme in conducting Mobile Blood Donations and Advocacy campaigns on Voluntary Blood Donation, we have been implemented the “No Replacement Donor” policy in the Blood Bank and Transfusion Services since November of 2008 to the present, and continuously doing its best to intensify and enforced the 100 percent voluntary blood donation much earlier than the NVBSP envisions by 2010.

Described as the first ever in the Philippine history or even throughout the world, Bicolanos had their own way of celebrating the WORLD BLOOD DONOR held last June 14, 2008.
Dubbed as “Paduruguan –Tabang Buhay” (Sharing the Gift of Life), spearheaded by the BMC – National Voluntary Blood Services Program and the Local Government of Calabanga, with the DOH as the flag-bearer, 500 beds arrayed in a one (1) kilometer stretch of bleeding area of the total of 504 voluntary blood donors and 675 health personnel as members of the Technical Working Group of the Department of Health and student volunteers ended in a brief period of 15 minutes as the participants wish to underscore the importance of voluntary blood donation. It was a rare opportunity for every Camarinenses to recognize and facilitate active participation of these givers of “LIFE”.

• DOH Assistant Secretary,WHO Representative Dr. Soe Nyunt-U, Dr. Criselda G. Abesamis, Regional Director Nestor Santiago, DOH personnel and some LGU chief executives and represtatives of Government and private institutions as they wait for the countdown of the synchronized Blood Letting of 500 voluntary blood donors covering the 1 kilometer stretch of the main road of Calabanga, Canarines Sur.
  
  500 volunteer donors coming from the different barangays of Calabanga and representatives from LGU – Camarines Sur
  
  World Health Organization Country Representative – Western Pacific Region, Dr. Soe Nyunt-U, together with the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health visited the Bicol Medical Center to grace the occasion during the Photo Exhibit Ribbon Cutting Ceremony last June 14, 2008. Said activity was sponsored by the National Voluntary Blood Services Program – Bicol Medical Center – Blood Bank and Transfusion Service, in celebration of the WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY. Present during the occasion were the Regional Director, Dr. Nestor F. Santiago, Dr. Edgar O. Esplana, BMC Medical Center Chief; Dr. Ruben R. Penafiel and some local chief executives. Mr. Mar Chavez, Blood Program Coordinator presented and introduced the photo exhibit of the different LGU’s, schools and universities to the guests. Twenty Five LGU’s, NGO’s and schools prepared for their respective booths showcasing the framework of the Blood Program in their locality.
  
  LGU Mobile Blood Donations and Advocacy Campaigns for CY 2008
  
  LGU Tinambac – 400 blood units collected in one setting
  
  “Dugong Atenista” marked the record breaking 187 units blood collection in one setting in a School level
  
  “Pep-talk” with Barangay officials Consultative Conference of Blood Program Coordinators
  
  Dr. Peñafiel with Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, Naga City Mayor as they sign on the Memorandum of agreement between Naga City and BMC, re: Blood Program
  
  LGU Tinambac Mayor with BMC Chief of Hospital, Dr. Edgar O. Esplana, signing the MOA on Blood Program
  
  BHW Workshop Seminar on Donor Recruitment, Retention and Care – LGU, Naga City. – 1st Batch
  
  Seminar Workshop on Donor Recruitment, Retention and Care, BHW-Naga, Venue: Bgy Hall – San Felipe – 2nd Batch
  
  Launching of Phil Blood Donor Society – Naga College Foundation Chapter
  
  Mobile Blood Donation and Advocacy Campaign to School Fraternities and Student organizations
  
  LGU Mobile Blood Donation activities
  Tri-media campaign
  
  NVBSP Advocacy Campaigns – Barangays

2008 BMC-NVBSP Highlights

2008 NVBSP Highlights
· Hosted the NVBSP Blood Summit 2008 in partnership with DOH-CHD-Bicol - June 13-14
· Facilitates in making a Philippine Record “Paduruguan ‘08” - Nationally recognized, held in Calabanga, Camarines Sur
· Visited by WHO Country Representative Dr. Soe Nyunt-U during the Photo Exhibit and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - Worlld Blood Donor Day ‘08 –BMC
· Established Blood Program to 93% of the municipalities of Camarines Sur
· Recorded the highest Blood Collection in a municipal level in one setting- Tinambac, Cam Sur - 400 voluntary donors
· Recorded the highest Blood collection in a university in one setting - “Dugong Atenista” - Ateneo de Naga - 187 voluntary donors
· Initiated and spearheaded the week-long activity “Dugong Oragon Festival” - Bula, Camarines Sur; collected 520 units of blood
· Implemented Zero Replacement Policy and enforced 100% voluntary blood donation, November ‘08