State Department of Health

The Hematology and Hemotherapy Center of Santa Catarina (HEMOSC), a State Government unit, sent a quantity of platelets this week to assist the Blood Center of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (HEMORGS). The state of Rio Grande do Sul is suffering from heavy rains that are causing deaths and destruction.

Photo: Disclosure Ascom/SES/SC

“Our public blood network in the State of Santa Catarina is supporting Rio Grande do Sul. This blood component will help with health actions in that state, without compromising care for patients in Santa Catarina who need this input. In addition to the other actions that the State Government is taking to help our brothers, we are at the disposal of Secretary Arita Bergmann. We have put in place the structure of the State Department of Health to help with whatever is necessary. Our thanks to the donors from Santa Catarina, who are also part of this chain of solidarity with Rio Grande do Sul”, highlighted the Secretary of State for Health, Carmen Zanotto.

According to the general director of HEMOSC, Patrícia Carsten, the action took place following a request from the director of HEMORGS, Kátia Brodt. 47 units of random platelet concentrate and two units of pooled platelets were sent.

They will be transfused into patients treated by the Unified Health System (SUS) and the traceability of blood components will be reported by HEMORGS to HEMOSC. New shipments of blood component bags will be made as needed. HEMOSC, managed by FAHECE, is in constant contact with HEMORGS monitoring demand.

“Solidarity is the act of the blood donor. It is up to us, as a state, to do the same with our neighbors in Rio Grande do Sul. In addition to the material disaster and loss of lives that cause commotion and our solidarity, the climate situation leads to a drop in donations, which compromises the stock”, says Patrícia.

What are platelets?

Blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets. Platelets help control bleeding and part of them can be donated without causing any harm to the donor’s health. The process that allows the separation and specific collection of platelets is called apheresis, but these can also be obtained from donating whole blood.

Platelet transfusion is indicated in cases such as treatment for leukemia and other types of cancer, those undergoing bone marrow transplantation, heart surgery, among other situations.