Lesson 6: RA 7719: National Blood Services Act of 1994

RA 7719

National Blood Services Act of 1994 promoting voluntary blood donation, regulating blood banks, and establishing penalties for violations

Blood

A life-giving fluid in the body, crucial during surgical procedures, includes human blood, components, products, and derivatives

Blood Bank/Center

Laboratory recruiting, screening donors, collecting, processing, storing, and issuing blood for transfusion, also providing education on blood transfusion transmissible diseases

Commercial Blood Bank

For-profit blood bank advancing life-saving services through voluntary blood donation drives

Hospital-Based Blood Bank

Located within a hospital premises, conducts compatibility testing, collaborates with institutions to ensure safe blood supply

Blood Collection Unit

Authorized facility recruiting, screening donors, and collecting blood, existing for various reasons including voluntary blood donation advocacy

Voluntary Blood Donor

One who donates blood willingly without compensation, aims to disseminate information on benefits of voluntary blood donation

Donor

Individual in the list of qualified voluntary blood donors, ready to donate blood when needed in the community

Secretary of Health

Responsible for carrying out the provisions of the National Blood Services Act of 1994

Walking Blood Donor

Included in the list of qualified voluntary blood donors, ready to donate blood when needed, part of the campaign to encourage blood donation in the Philippines

Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)

Primary agency facilitating blood donation and education in the country

Philippine Blood Coordinating Council (PBCC)

Engages in networking, coordination, and research to advance blood donation and transfusion field

Fresh/Frozen Plasma

Blood product regulated by laws for utilization, transfer, and processing in the Philippines

Cryoprecipitate

Blood product regulated by laws for utilization, transfer, and processing in the Philippines

AIDS

Disease transmissible through blood transfusion

Hepatitis-B and C

Diseases transmissible through blood transfusion

Malaria

Disease transmissible through blood transfusion

Syphilis

Disease transmissible through blood transfusion

Voluntary Blood Donation

Donating blood without compensation, promoted for public health

National Blood Services Act of 1994

Legislation promoting voluntary blood donation and ensuring blood supply

Public Health

Efforts to promote well-being and prevent diseases in the community

Blood Transfusion

Process of transferring blood or blood components into a person's bloodstream

Blood Bank

Facility that stores blood for transfusion purposes

Blood Center

Institution responsible for collecting, testing, and storing blood for transfusion

Blood Collection Unit (BCU)

Authorized entity for collecting blood for medical purposes

Blood Station (BS)

Designated area for blood collection in a medical facility

Blood Bag

Container used for collecting, storing, and transporting blood

Blood Services Network

System of interconnected blood service facilities and organizations

Walking Blood Donors

Individuals who donate blood voluntarily and regularly

Blood Transfusion Service Network

Coordinated system for providing blood transfusion services

Blood Screening

Process of testing donated blood for infections or diseases

Blood Testing

Examination of blood samples to determine compatibility for transfusion

Blood Storage

Preservation of blood or blood products for future use

Blood Donation Program

Organized effort to encourage and facilitate voluntary blood donation

Blood Reagents

Substances used in blood testing and processing procedures

Blood Spoilage

Loss of blood quality or usability due to improper storage or handling

Blood Fee Ceiling

Maximum allowable charge for blood provision and related services

Blood Donation Training

Educational programs to train individuals on voluntary blood donation

Walking blood donor concept

Encouraged in areas with inadequate blood banking facilities, requires keeping a list of qualified voluntary blood donors with specified blood typing.

Penalty for excessive charges

Blood bank/center collecting charges greater than the maximum prescribed may have its license suspended or revoked.

National Voluntary Blood Services Program

Implemented to meet blood transfusion needs in all regions, violators face imprisonment or fines.

Blood bank operation penalty

Establishing or operating a blood bank without a license or failing to comply with standards may lead to imprisonment or fines.

Administrative sanctions

Imposed by the Secretary for violations, including fines, suspension, or revocation of licenses.

Responsibility for contaminated blood

Head of the blood bank and personnel responsible for dispensing contaminated blood face imprisonment for ten years.

Funding sources

Funds provided by the Government, PCSO, PAGCOR, Duty Free Shop, and contributions from other agencies.

Preventive health services

Required from all blood banks/centers, including education and counseling on blood transfusion transmissible diseases.

Separability Clause

Ensures that if any provision of the Act is declared invalid, other provisions remain in force.

Voluntary blood donation programs

Mandatory for government hospitals and encouraged for private hospitals.

Rational use of blood

Guidelines established by the Department in consultation with relevant bodies.

Phase-out of commercial blood banks

All commercial blood banks to be phased out over two years after the Act's effectivity.

Non-profit operation

Blood banks/centers must operate on a non-profit basis, with limited service fees for necessary expenses.

Regulation of blood services

Unlawful to establish and operate a blood bank/center without registration and a license from the Department.

Blood Collection Units (BCU)

Premises for collecting blood from voluntary or non-remunerated donors.

Mobile Blood Donation (MBD) Team

Engages in blood collection activities outside fixed locations.

Blood Centers

Test all blood units collected by BCU and MBD Teams, including the Phil. Blood Center and other regional centers.

Transfusion Transmissible Infections (TTI)

Blood units issued from blood centers need not be re-tested for TTI by hospital-based blood banks or other health facilities.

National reference laboratory (NRL)

RITM for testing repeatedly reactive donated blood units for TTIs.

NRL for Immunohematology

NKTI responsible for immunohematology testing.