BINANGONAN, Rizal, Philippines — The provincial government further pushed its blood donation campaign to better-prepare hospitals treat dengue patients and deliver them to full recovery.

Rizal Governor Casimiro “Jun” Ynares III, M.D. led provincial and local officials in the drive to collect blood donations for the province’s dengue-stricken communities during the recent “Sagip Buhay” activity which was part of the capitol’s regular medical and dental mission activities in this town.

Ynares said the blood-letting activity, held at the Ynares Plaza in this town, is also part of the provincial government’s prompt response to the call of the Department of Health (DoH) to local government for more blood donations as the cases of dengue are in the alarming proportion.

In a report obtained by the provincial government from the Center for Health and Development (CHD) of Region IV-A, a total of 1,777 dengue cases were reported in the province of Rizal from January to the first week of August of 2011. Of this figure, Antipolo has 477 dengue cases, and the municipalities of Cainta with 286, Binangonan and Rodriguez with identical 225 reported dengue cases.

A total of 11 deaths had already been reported in the province with Antipolo having the highest with seven fatalities.