The House of Representatives approved on second reading this week House Bill 1530 seeking to require government agencies to indicate the blood type of individuals in the identification cards, certificates and licenses to facilitate medical treatment and ensure the safety of patients, especially in the transfusion of blood during medical emergencies.
The committee on health chaired by Rep. Angelina Tan, M.D. (4th District, Quezon) and committee on appropriations chaired by Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles (1st District, Davao City) endorsed the bill for plenary approval.
The bill principally authored by Rep. Alexandria Gonzales (Lone District, Mandaluyong City) was consolidated with HB 3157 filed by Rep. Gary Alejano (Party-List Magdalo), and HB 2064 authored by former Rep. Mark Villar, who was appointed Public Works and Highways Secretary.
House Bill 1530 requires all government agencies to indicate the blood type of individuals in their ID cards, certificates and licenses.
These covers the following government-issued documents: birth certificates; driver’s and firearms licenses; and identification documents issued by the Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Department of Foreign Affairs (DAF), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Local Registrar’s Office or the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or National Statistics Office (NSO), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Philippine National Police.
The bill requires the individual to secure a certificate from a pathologist to validate his or her blood type.
It mandates the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the concerned implementing agencies, to formulate the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the Act.
Gonzales said accidents and medical emergency situations affect and happen to everyone. Thus, in case of emergency which can result in excessive blood loss, immediate matching of the correct blood type may be infused to save the life of the victim or patient.
“Knowledge of one’s blood is type is important for both the recipient and the donor for the immediate transfusion of the appropriate blood,” said Gonzales.
Alejano said blood type information is necessary especially in unlikely situations such as accidents and calamities wherein a person would be needing urgent medical attention, particularly blood transfusion.
“Information such as this is vital to address the needs of a victim in saving his or her life,” said Alejano.
Alejano said the blood type information of citizens, to be available in the database of concerned government agencies, would be helpful for a systematic maintenance of stocks of blood in hospitals and blood banks under the care of the Philippine Red Cross. (HOR- PR)
