A single blood donation from you can help one or more patients. This is possible because whole blood made up of several useful components. These components perform special functions in your body & in the body of patients who will receive your blood. The various blood components are Red Blood Cells, Platelets and Plasma. Each of these components can be separated from your blood and transfused into a patient requiring the particular component. Thus, many can benefit from one unit of blood. 

Human blood is produced only by the human body and cannot be synthesized. Blood requirements of patients who have blood loss due to accidents or diseases or surgery can only be met by blood donation. Hence, it is the duty of each of us to donate blood and help each other in our times of need.

FAQs ABOUT BLOOD DONATION

Why should we donate blood?

You also benefit from donating blood. It reduces the chances of ischemic heart diseases (beginning of heart problems) as frequent donations reduce accumulated and unwanted iron load from the body.Blood donation gives a proud feeling of touching someone's life in such a beautiful way. It's an experience that no words can define. You have to donate blood yourself to find out. By keeping the bloodline flowing, you will greatly contribute towards a healthier, happier society. Do remember that anyone may require blood anytime - including ourselves and our dear ones.

What are the side effects of blood donations?

A small percentage of first time donors may feel a little dizzy but only for a few minutes. The staff at the blood bank will ensure that your first blood donation will be a happy experience. We are sure this will make you a regular do not. In fact, there are many people who have donated more than 100 times in their lifetime.

What will I benefit from donating blood?

Of course, most important of all, every satisfaction of helping a fellow human body. It is relatively safe. The total amount of blood circulating in our body is about 5 liters. Of this, only about 450ml is bled from the body during blood donation. The human body replenishes this within about 48 to 72 hours of donation.

Can I get communicable diseases by donating blood?

No, there is no possibility of getting communicable diseases by donating blood as the blood collecting set and needles used are sterile and disposable.

When should I NOT donate blood?

You should not donate blood if you are below 18 years or above 60 years of age and weigh below 40 kgs. You are not supposed to donate if you are suffering from any of the following conditions.

1.Permanently, from Diabetes, Heart Disease, Tuberculosis, Kidney Disease, HIV/Aids, Serum Hepatitis, or prone to vaso-vagal attacks.

2. Temporarily, if with Fever, Anemia, on some medication, Pregnant / Lactating /Menstruating, received any vaccination in the last 6 weeks, History of Malaria / Typhoid in the previous year, Jaundice other than Hepatitis in the last 3 years.

APHERESIS

The automated blood collection system, Apheresis, is one of the many facilities of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Through this facility the door has the option to donate just a component part of his blood unlike the traditional giving away of the whole blood affected by manual donation. A portable automated cell-separator machine called Haemonetics MCS + installed in the Blood Bank could be programmed to collect units of blood components such as red blood cells, platelets, plasma or even peripheral blood stem cells. Hence, with the wonders of modern technology, the donors now have a choice.

Apheresis (which literally means "to remove") involves the separation of blood into components parts, retention of the needed component and return of the remaining components to the donor. During donation, blood is drawn from the donor's arm and flows into a sterile, single-use tubing set into a cell-separator machine. The donation process lasts from 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

For more information about Blood Donation you may visit our Department of Pathology at 2nd Floor, CMC I Building or you may call 3723825 to 44 local 1201 / 1202.

Capitol Medical Center, a tertiary hospital located in Quezon City has committed itself to the delivery of quality health care services to all mothers and their newborn babies.  CMC has been awarded the Certificate of Commitment to be a Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital by the Department of Health Center for Health Development of the National Capital Region (DOH CHD-NCR).  CMC is working its way to receive a Full Accreditation from the DOH as an institution that upholds the Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (MBFHI). MBFHI is a global program of the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund being implemented by the DOH.  The goal of the MBFHI is to encourage optimal breastfeeding practices through prolonged, exclusive and early initiated breastfeeding.  Such practices have been proven to protect infants against different infectious and chronic diseases and are essential for cognitive development.

The MBFHI was launched by the Department of Health in line with Rooming-in and Breastfeeding Act of 1992 (RA7600).  All private and government hospitals offering maternity and newborn care may be accredited as a Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital if they implement the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding as adopted from the UNICEF/WHO criteria of BFI.

    1.         Have a written Breastfeeding Policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.

    2.     Train all healthcare staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.

    3.     Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.

    4.     Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within half an hour of birth.

    5.     Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated.   

    6.     Show mothers how to breastfeed and maintain lactation even if they should be separated from their infants.

    7.     Practice rooming-in – that is, allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day.

    8.     Encourage breastfeeding on demand.

    9.     Give no artificial teats or “pacifiers” (also called dummies or soothers) to breastfeeding infants.

    10.      Foster establishment of breastfeeding support groups

Capitol Medical Center implements the MBFHI 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, through its Breastfeeding and Photo contests and poster making contests during the breastfeeding month of August were participated upon by the hospital employees and visitors of the hospital as well, were held to raise consciousness on the benefits of breastfeeding. Regular lectures during the third Wednesday of each month are given by members of the Breastfeeding and Lactation Committee to pregnant women who are on their last trimester of pregnancy to prepare them and make them aware of the advantages of early, prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding and rooming-in as are implemented in the institution.Lactation Committee spearheaded by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Pediatrics with help from the Nursing Staff Office and MEPDE.  Hospital Policies on Breastfeeding and Rooming-in were reviewed, revised and updated by the committee to conform with the DOH policies. Activities to heighten awareness and deepen the understanding of the importance of breastfeeding were also undertaken. Hospital staff undergoes training on these subjects on a regular basis.

Trained personnel regularly make rounds with the mothers and babies who are roomed-in.  They help mothers find the most comfortable position of breastfeeding, coach them on proper attachment of their babies, give reassurance to first time mothers and try to address their other problems on lactation.

The Lactation Room located at the 4th floor of the CMC V Bldg. was set aside to allow lactating employees and visitors alike, to breastfeed and express milk during their tour of duty. The room is equipped with breast-feeding appliances, a sink and comfortable seats that provide a conducive relaxing environment to express milk. Reading materials on breastfeeding are also available for the those who use the room.

Just recently, CMC held a MOA signing with the Quezon City Government Health Department as a center of our referral for discharged lactating patients who have problems with breastfeeding. This is in fulfillment of the 10th Step to Successful Breastfeeding of the MBFHI.

The hospital, in its commitment to continuously offer quality maternity services, providing excellence care to mothers and their babies, believes that breastfeeding is still best for babies and mothers alike.

CMC PLACES 1ST AT THE NORTH INTEGRATED RESIDENCY TRAINING PROGRAM RESEARCH (NIRTP) CONTEST

Dr. Ana Katherine P. Alas, Chief Resident of the Department of Pediatrics, proved once again that Capitol Medical Center is ahead of its game in the field of research. Last December 1, 2015, NIRTP held its annual research contest at World Citi Medical Center, wherein each hospital will be presenting their chosen research paper. Dr. Alas winning research paper entitled "Randomized Control Trial on the Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Supplementation with Methylphenidate on the Core Symptoms and Academic Performance of Children 6 - 18 years old, led the group and won First place for this year.

The North Integrated Residency Training Program (NIRTP) is an association of 5 hospitals composed of East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC), Jesus Delgado Memorial Hospital (JDMH), Quezon City General Hospital (QCGH), World Citi Medical Center (WCMC) and Capitol Medical Center.