By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff

The Palau Red Cross Society and the Ministry of Health launched on Tuesday its Mobile Blood Donation drive to encourage the community to join the blood drive.
Dr. Robert Maddison, Blood Safety Coordinator said that the first drive was launched at the Palau Royal Resort on Tuesday and at the Papago Hotel yesterday.
Maddison said donors are checked for their medical history and hemoglobin to determine whether they can donate blood.
Maddison said after the blood extraction, the donated blood is also checked for HIV or AIDS before it can be released to the blood bank.
Maddison added that blood donors have increased from 30 a month to over 90 in the past months.
Earlier the Ministry and PRCS has forged a partnership for the establishment of a National Blood Service in Palau.
The Memorandum of Agreement earlier signed is geared towards promotion of a volunteer system for blood donors.
Maddison said the through the partnership would also ensure an adequate supply of safe blood product in the republic.
Under the MOU the ministry is tasked with coordination of the supply of blood and develop, implement and maintain a quality management system for all activities, processes and services in the blood service and to ensure the maintenance of the quality of services.
The PRCS will undertake the establishment and setting up of a Blood Recruitment Program.
According to the MOU the PRCS will also be responsible for the call-up of blood donors to ensure adequate supply of blood and blood products.