m5

• Central Philippine University College of Medical Laboratory Science is implementing RA 7719, the National Blood Service Act of 1994.
• RA 7719 is an act promoting public health by preventing trafficking in human blood and its products and derivatives.
• RA 7719 declares a national policy to promote voluntary blood donation and describes the set-up and regulatory operation of a blood bank.
• RA 1517, also known as the Blood Banking Law, is a law regulating the collection, processing, and sale of human blood, and establishment and operation of blood banks and blood processing laboratories.
• Section 1 of RA 1517 aims to promote public health by preventing trafficking in human blood and its products and derivatives.
• Section 2 of RA 1517 defines "Blood" as human blood, processed or unprocessed, and includes products and derivatives.
• Section 3 of RA 1517 states that it is unlawful for any person to establish/operate a blood bank or blood processing laboratory, to collect/process blood if he/she is not a licensed physician, to sell blood collected from another person even if authorized, or to sell blood at cost.
• Section 4 of RA 1517 states that blood banks/processing laboratories are non-profit, blood collecting or processing by other blood collectors or processors or by individual physicians shall also be on a non-profit basis, and blood shall be sold by such banks and laboratories, other blood collectors or processors, and individual physicians at cost.
• Section 5 of RA 1517 states that the Secretary of Health is responsible for enforcing this Act and issuing rules and regulations, and the maximum ceiling for handling charges of blood and charges for collection, processing, storage, transportation, and sale are specified.
• All govt hospitals are required to establish voluntary blood donation programs; all private hospitals are encouraged.
• The Department, in cooperation with PNRC and PBCC, and other govt agencies and non-govt organizations shall plan and implement NVBSP to meet the needs for blood transfusion on all regions of the country.
• The benefits and rationale of voluntary blood donation shall be included and given emphasis in health subjects of schools, both public and private, at the elementary, high school and college levels.
• The Department, PSHBT & PSP shall establish guidelines for rational use of blood.
• Blood centers shall be strategically established in every province and city nationwide within the framework of a National Blood Transfusion Service Network spearheaded by the Department, in coordination with the PNRC.
• Over a period of 2 years after effectivity of this Act; extendable to maximum period of 2 years by the Secretary.
• All blood banks/centers shall operate on a non-profit basis.
• Unlawful for a person to establish and operate a blood bank/center unless it is registered and licensed to operate by the Dept.
• Under the management of a licensed and qualified physician duly authorized by the Dept.
• In case of emergencies, blood collection and transfusion under the responsibility of the attending physician shall be allowed in hospitals without such license under certain conditions prescribed by the Dept.
• The collection of blood shall be promoted and the Department shall provide training programs and technical assistance to various areas in the community, such as schools, business enterprises, barangays, and military camps.
• The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall require such inclusion in its non-formal education curricula.
• Secretary shall set the standards for the scientific and professional establishment and operation of blood banks/centers and collection units.
• In areas where there may be inadequate blood banking facilities, the walking blood donor concept shall be encouraged and all government hospitals, rural-health units, health centers and barangays in these areas shall be required to keep at all times a list of qualified voluntary blood donors with their specified blood typing.
• The Department, the PBCC, the PSHBT, the PSP, the PMA, the PAMET and the PNA are encouraged to conduct for their respective members and as part of the continuing medical education, trainings on the rational use of blood and blood products including the merits of voluntary blood donation.
• No license shall be granted or renewed unless it complies with the standards prescribed by the Dept.
• All blood banks/blood centers shall provide preventive health services (education and counseling on blood transfusion transmissible diseases).
• Section 6 of RA 1517 states that the penalty for any violation on the provisions of this Act is imprisonment of not less than 1 month and not more than 1 year, fine of not less than Php100 and not more than Php 1,000, and both imprisonment and fine in the discretion of the Court.
• Donor screening and selection is a crucial part of blood donor recruitment.
• The role of Professional Societies and Associations is encouraged to conduct trainings and seminars on rational use of blood/products, including the dangers of commercial blood.
• Recruitment of voluntary donors is a key function of a Blood Bank/Center.
• The Department provides CPE units for all training courses on rational use of blood and blood products.
• Basic blood processing and testing are integral parts of blood collection.
• The Department encourages the establishment of a blood services network in coordination with the local PNRC and the regional blood service network, chaired by the Regional Health Director.
• Storage of blood/products is a fundamental function of a Blood Bank/Center.
• The Regional Health Director shall be the field representative of the National Voluntary Blood Services Program Committee and shall coordinate with the Voluntary Blood Services program activities in the region.
• The Monitoring and Evaluation Sub-Committee is composed of representatives from DOH, DepEd, PNRC, PBCC, and other agencies, professional organizations, and societies.
• Blood collection is a fundamental function of a Blood Bank/Center.
• BLOOD SERVICES NETWORK – an informal organization composed of the designated blood centers and hospital blood banks, blood stations and end–user hospitals established to provide for the blood needs of a specific geographical area.
• Health education and counseling are important aspects of blood donor recruitment.
• The functions of the Monitoring and Evaluation Sub-Committee include designing an upgrading and development plan for better quality blood services, setting criteria of indicators to monitor progress for requirements for upgrading facilities, monitoring continuing professional education activities, coordinating all studies and reviews related to upgrading all facilities, and reviewing non-monetary incentives for voluntary blood donors.