Tubod, Lanao del Norte – 15 soldiers from the 35th “Makamandag” Infantry Battalion donated their blood in the bloodletting activity conducted by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) last February 7, 2012 at the MCC complex, Brgy. Sagadan, in the capital town of Tubod.

The soldiers came from the Alpha, Bravo and Charlie companies of Makamandang battalion based in this province.

The 15 bags collected contain 500 cc of whole blood which will used in the upcoming Medical, Dental and Surgical mission organized by the Lanao del Norte LGU and Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) group on February 13-15, 2012.

The AUP organization is composed of US and Philippine-based medical practitioners who will spearhead the medical mission.

“We are thankful to AUP for partnering with us in providing the people of Lanao del Norte especially our indigent residents with quality healthcare services”, Information Officer Lyndon Calica said.

The free medical mission will be simultaneously conducted in three provincial hospitals situated in the towns of Kolambugan, Baroy and Kapatagan.

“Patients who will undergo surgical procedure will also save thousands of pesos because everything has already been taken cared of including their post-operation medicines”, Calica added.

Although there were more than twenty soldiers screened to be blood donors but only 15 passed after some of the men were found to be hypertensive, diabetic, and suffering from ailments.

All donated blood were tested by provincial health employees for malaria, syphilis, Hepatitis B and C, and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) 1 and 2.

Among the medical technologists who screened the soldiers were Anita Meca, Julebelle Eltanal, Luz Hamo, Erlinda Ricafort and Marivic Ditanungun.

“We are very strict in the screening process to prevent any transmission of communicable diseases”, National Voluntary Blood Services Program Coordinator Julie Soria said.

Another bloodletting activity will be conducted by Provincial Health Office (PHO) on the months of May and June 2012, according to PHO Head Melania Untao. VNL & LAR-PIO/LDN