Left to right: PGH Director Dr Gerardo Legaspi, Plasma donor Sir Ian Ceasar Frias, PGH Bloodbank Head Dr Mark Angelo Ang, Pheresis Consultant Dr Pedrito Tagayuna, Med Tech Supervisor Mr Rex Fadrigo.
Three of our donors who recovered from Covid-19 had plasma pheresis for convalescent plasma donation. Our heroes Sir Ian Ceasar Frias, a seafarer, and two nurses Kai Soriano, and Ma’am Galey Arranz underwent a procedure wherein the blood flows through a pheresis machine, which then uses a centrifuge to separate the blood components, extract the plasma, and return the rest of the blood components back into the body via a venous access.
Convalescent plasma, which contains antibodies, may be transfused to a severely ill patient battling Covid 19.
In attendance were PGH Director Dr Gerardo Legaspi, PGH spokesperson Dr Jonas Del Rosario, Pathologists who supervised the procedure were PGH Division of Bloodbank Head Dr Mark Angelo Ang, Pheresis Consultant and Philippine Blood Center OIC Chief Dr Pedrito Tagayuna, Pathology residents Dr Sam Mgnto Sandy Maganito and Dr Thaddeus Hinunangan, in partnership with PGH Hematology section with Convalescent Plasma initiative head Dr Deonne Thaddeus DT Gauiran and Dr Tess Dumagay (not in picture) Hematology Consultants and Mr Rex Fabrigo, Med Tech Supervisor PGH Bloodbank.
We would like to encourage Covid survivors to donate plasma or whole blood. This would greatly help our fellow Filipinos suffering from severe Covid illness.
The inclusion criteria to be a donor are the following:
(1). Positive swab test of COVID-19 (RTPCR);
(2). Subsequent swab(s) yielding a negative result;
(3). Must be asymptomatic for 2 weeks.
(4). One positive swab,but if no additional swab is taken, he/she should be at least 28 days asymptomatic.
We will screen the donor for blood donation, visit the potential donor for the informed consent, extract blood for initial serology and blood typing and will schedule the procedure.
Pheresis is done at Paz Mendoza Hall (not in PGH). Transportation, snacks, and tokens of appreciation are provided.
Be a hero today!
Contact us through 09178053207 or read the poster below for details.
Note: Consent was obtained from our donors to reveal their identities, to dispel the stigma and encourage blood donation.
#WeHealAsOne
Thank you!
Dr. Thad Hinungan
Pathology Resident Physician
Philippine General Hospital
FB: @thad.hinunangan