With Antique province still under a state of calamity due to dengue, a group of doctors has organized a blood donation drive to ensure ample supply for patients.

The bloodletting activity will be held in this capital town on Sept. 24 by the Antique Medical Society (AMS), an organization of medical practitioners in the province.

“The province is still under the state of calamity due to dengue cases and so we would like to help campaign for blood donation for our patients,” said AMS president Dr. Rachelle Molina in an interview on Wednesday.

The event in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Antique Chapter to be held at Robinsons Place is part of the activities to mark the 65th National Medicine Week celebration.

Molina said the blood that would be collected from their target 50 blood donors could also be used by other patients such as victims of vehicular accidents.

For every person who would donate blood, the AMS and PRC could collect as much as 500 cubic centimeters (cc) or one bag that could be transfused to a dengue patient who is bleeding or having a hemorrhage.

There are times, according to Molina, that the PRC Antique or families of patients still had to request from the PRC Blood Bank in Iloilo City because of the lack of supply in the province.

Also joining as partners of the event are the Rotary Club of Antique and Apex Fitness Center whose members are expected blood donors.

Intensive awareness campaigns, the practice of the 4 o’clock habit, and spraying launched by the local government units (LGUs) up to the barangay level are ongoing, according to the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO).

From Jan. 1 to Sept. 10, the province has 2,354 cases with no death. (PNA)