Blood

Services Act
of 1994 (RA
7719)

Declaration of Policy

To promote and encourage voluntary blood donation by the citizens

To lay down that it is a professional medical service and not a sale of commodity

To provide ADEQUATE, SAFE, AFFORDABLE AND EQUITABLE distribution of blood

services

To inform the public for the need for voluntary blood donation

To teach the benefits and rationale of voluntary blood donation at public and private
places

To mobilize all sectors of community to participate in collection of blood

To mandate the DOH to organize and manage a National Blood Transfusion Network to
improve and have safe supply of blood

To provide adequate assistance

To require all blood sections to operate on a non-profit basis

To establish scientific and professional standards for operation of blood services

To ensure the safety of activities

To require upgrading of blood centers

About

The Blood Program of the Philippines operates in accordance with

the provisions of the National Blood Services Act of 1994 or Republic
Act (R.A.) 7719. In tripartite cooperation with the Department of
Health and the Philippine Blood Coordination Council, the
Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is one of the key organizations
tasked to provide safe blood to the country through its active
role in advocacy, promotion of voluntary blood donation, donor
retention and care and the operation of a network of 74 Blood Service
Facilities all over the country.
PRC-The PRC gives comprehensive blood services, which include
donor recruitment, collection and storage of blood, blood testing,
processing and supply to the hospitals in accordance with the
provisions of R.A. 7719.

Blood Testing

To ensure that the blood we collect is safe for transfusion, we

perform blood tests for Malaria, Syphilis, Hepatitis B & C,
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Blood Typing
(both ABO and Rh typing). All blood units found reactive or
positive in any of the abovementioned transfusion-transmitted
infections are quarantined and retested. Blood units found
reactive twice are labeled "not for transfusion-for confirmatory
testing," quarantined and then sent within 48 hours to
appropriate center for confirmatory testing.

Sustainability

The costs of comprehensive blood services management are

raised through different sources, main of which are:
- Cost contribution by the consumers;
- Cash donation from the government (national lottery and local
government units); and
- Some kits and reagents from the Department of Health and
local government units.

How to Avail Blood

1. Secure a blood request from the hospital. The details should

include the following data (request with incomplete data will
not be honored):
a. Name
b. Age and gender
c. Citizenship
d. Diagnosis
e. Blood type (ABO and Rh type)
f. No. of units/ components of blood needed
g. Requesting physician's signature
h. Name of the hospital of confinement
2. Proceed to the PRC Blood Services Facility nearest you.
3. Wait for the proper instruction/ advice regarding the
availability and issuance of blood.