Blood Bank Inaugurated at Holguin Military Hospital

On January 14th, a blood bank was inaugurated at the Emergency and Critical Care Center. Part of the Dr. Fermín Valdés Domínguez Military Hospital. Which is under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Blood Bank (BPS).

According to Dr. Felipe Zuazo Vázquez, head of the center, “This facility aims to provide a service not only to the military population and their families. But also to extend blood donations to the entire community. That is, to the civilian population of the Pedro Díaz Coello health area and other areas who voluntarily come to our hospital to donate. We have a qualified staff, mostly young and dedicated, trained by the BPS. So this is supported by the qualified medical services of the Emergency Center’s on-call team.”

Founded nearly a decade ago, this Emergency Center provides the community. With assistance and consultations in more than 15 specialties. Including clinical, surgical, and insurance-related services.

Regarding the development of this important work, Dr. Lidia Acosta Pérez, head of the Research, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Center at the Military Hospital. She explained that this blood bank will accept donations from all civilians belonging to the Pedro Díaz Coello Polyclinic. As well as personnel from military units in Holguin and Granma. Family members of patients admitted to the institution, and anyone else who wishes to donate.

Blood Bank Inaugurated at Holguin Military Hospital 0 — Photo: Maylín Betancourt Verdecia

Once donated, the blood is transported to the Social Security Bank (BPS). Also where it will be processed and analyzed according to established protocols. Once suitable for administration, the blood is distributed to patients in need at the Octavio de la Concepción de la Pedraja Pediatric Hospital. To critically ill mothers and newborns, to oncology and hematology patients, and to those who have suffered trauma and require it.

Blood donations are the only source for obtaining blood components and blood products. Which are not only used in the production of some medications and reagents. But also to meet the demands of the Maternal and Child Health Program (PAMI), emergencies, and patients with bleeding in oncology, hematology, and other specialties who require metabolic stability.

For several years, the Emergency and Urgent Care Center of the Holguin Military Hospital has been progressively developing a community outreach program. It currently serves a population of approximately 40,000 residents in the Pedro Díaz Coello health area. So much so that during 2025, this institution provided more than 28,000 medical consultations. Over 90 percent of which were for civilians.