Lacson confirms shortage of blood, appeals for donations
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

In response to the rising number of dengue fever cases in the Negros Occidental, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson issued an executive order yesterday declaring a heightened alert status. He explained, the province has already reached the “alert threshold” and the provincial government wants to avoid breaching the “epidemic threshold.”
“It is still far off at the moment but, still, we just want to raise the alert level for every local government unit,” Lacson said.
The governor said local residents should “go back to basics” and practice cleanliness.
Lacson said he also met with Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. during the Governor’s League General Assembly and he explained, no matter what people do, the number of dengue cases are expected to spike every three years.
“Even if we religiously do the protocol, we can still expect there will be a spike,” he pointed out.
However, Lacson said it is not an excuse.
The governor noted, district hospitals are fully prepared and he has yet to receive complaints regarding hospitals denying treatment to dengue patients.
Meanwhile, Lacson also affirmed reports that there is currently an ongoing shortage in the province’s blood supply.
“We need donors and we are calling out to qualified donors,” the governor said
He added, there are also plans to organize a blood-letting activity for provincial government employees as a means to boost the local blood supply. He is waiting on a recommendation from the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
Based on PHO data earlier this month, there has been a 73 percent increase in dengue cases across the province. Between January and June of this year, they recorded a total of 2,800 dengue cases, up from the 1,600 recorded during the same period last year.
Records showed the highest number of cases were reported in Kabankalan City, San Carlos City, Bago City, Cadiz City, and Cauayan.
PHO also noted there were 10 fatalities this year, five of which were recorded in Cadiz City, the highest of any locality in the province./DGB, WDJ