In line with the campaign for Blood Donor Month this July 2021, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon reiterated why the Red Cross collects fees for blood.
“Hindi natin binabayaran ang dugo, dahil ang dugo, voluntary na binibigay yan,” Gordon said during an interview over DZMM.
He further explained, however, that there is payment for blood recruitment and education, collecting, blood testing, preparing blood products and quality assurance. He added that there are fees to recover the costs of testing and operations.
The PRC blood facilities are “non-profiting” according to Republic Act 7719 or the National Blood Services Act of 1994 (Voluntary Blood Donation), which is also stated in the approved Department of Health Administrative Order 2015-0045. The PRC collects and processes blood from voluntary donations to be able to help the most vulnerable.
Through the years, blood services have remained as one of the major contributors of safe and quality blood supply in the country. Especially because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there is a regular need for blood donation and the contribution of voluntary blood donors to be able to reach out to the most vulnerable.
“The people’s need for blood doesn’t stop,” Gordon said.
The PRC National Blood Center (NBS) is ISO 9001:2015 certified. To ensure safe and adequate blood supply, the NBS provides mobile blood donation, blood samaritan program, blood recruitment and recognition, blood testing and processing, and blood issuance. Blood Services also launched a special project to provide Convalescent Plasma for COVID-19 patients.
For urgent requests for blood and blood products, call hotline 143.
