CATARMAN, Northern Samar -- During the recent meeting of the Catarman Blood Donation Council presided by Municipal Councilor Jennifer Arillo, chairperson of the Committee on Health at the Sangguniang Bayan, NSPH-Blood Bank Manager Jean Pelayo thanked the LGU of Catarman for activating its Blood Council which resulted in an improved blood collection for the municipality this year.

As reported by Ginjerine Muncada, mobile blood donation program manager, more and more barangays in Catarman have committed to hold the Mass Blood Donation (MBD) activity in their area since January this year. It was noted that Brgy. Hinatad was the first barangay to achieve the 1% target, with 15 of its more than 1,200 population having donated blood during their blood donation activity held on January 27.

Next was Brgy. Baybay, which had fielded 66 blood donors (1% of 6,524 population) during its first MBD activity on February 9. This was followed by Brgy. New Rizal in February 21, with 16 donors (1.3% of 1,267 population) and Bgy. Kasoy (18 or 1.2% of 1462 population).

These barangays have pledged to conduct a second round MBD program in the coming months.

"If we can get at least 1% population donors in all barangays in Catarman this year, then we have achieved the target of the Department of Health (DOH) scorecard," Pelayo said.

Councilor Salutan expressed her full support to the  blood donation campaign, noting the importance of adequate blood supply for the Catarman populace which records the most number of patients to avail blood from the Blood Bank of the provincial government.

As Pelayo reported, in 2021, Catarman had .16% blood collection from its 101,000 population but had 40% blood availment from the Blood Bank Blood Pool. In 2022 there was .1% blood collection, and 20% blood availment. (Catarman Municipal Information Office)