03/10/2025
๐ฉธ โ๐๐๐ฎ ๐ฟ๐ค ๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐๐๐ฎ ๐๐ค๐ง ๐ฝ๐ก๐ค๐ค๐ ๐๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐ฉโ๐จ ๐ฟ๐ค๐ฃ๐๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ง ๐๐ง๐๐?โ ๐ฉธ
A family member needs blood. You rush to the hospital. You call friends to donate. And then the hospital still charges you 1,800 per unit.
Why? It is a valid question, donors donโt earn from the donations but patients pay for it.
Are they profiting off kindness?
๐ ๐ก๐ผ. ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒโ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐๐๐ต:
Youโre NOT paying for the blood.
Youโre paying for the life-saving process that makes sure that blood wonโt affect the person youโre trying to save.
๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต ๐๐ป๐ถ๐ ๐ด๐ผ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต:
๐ฌ Screening tests - HIV, Hepatitis B/C, malaria, syphilis
โ๏ธ Component separation - red cells, plasma, platelets
๐ง Storage & refrigeration
๐ฉโโ๏ธ Staffing - med techs, nurses, logistics, admin
Screening?
To prevent the transmission of blood-transmitted diseases like HIV, Hepatitis and others.
Component separation?
For the use of consumable supplies for the separation of blood products into platelets, red cells, etc.
Storage and Refrigeration?
To maintain the viability of the blood products, because if not kept in certain conditions these blood products may EXPIRE.
Staffing?
All of these procedures required trained and paid professionals we pay for their expertise.
All of these cost money, ensuring that the blood that the patient is receiving is safe for use, because not all blood units are compatible with every patient, two people may have the same blood types but may not be compatible.
Under Republic Act 7719 and DOH AO 2015โ0045, the โฑ1,800 cap ensures youโre only paying to recoup costs, not to profit.
โ
Bottom Line
The โฑ1,800 you pay isnโt for the blood itself itโs for the safe, regulated process of transforming donated blood into a usable, life-saving medical product.
It covers testing, processing, safe storage, qualified personnel, and quality control, all essential to prevent infections and ensure compatibility.
