MANDALUYONG CITY -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) reiterates that the blood they provide to patients with pregnancy complications, dengue, accident injuries, and surgical and cancer treatment is free.  

However, in order to ensure that donated blood will be safe for transfusion, the PRC needs reagents and other supplies to test each unit of blood for transfusion-transmitted infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Malaria, and Syphilis.

The PRC tests each unit of blood for an affordable blood processing fee which is currently the cheapest in the country and conforms with the allowable fees set forth by the Department of Health (DOH). The fee covers donor screening and education, tests for transfusion-transmitted infection, collection, component preparation, storage, and quality assurance.

Meanwhile, members of the PRC’s Blood Samaritan Program provide financial donations to cover the payment of blood processing fees of indigent patients.

As one of the major suppliers of blood and blood products in the country, the PRC National Blood Services (NBS) continuously delivers adequate, safe, and quality blood supply to the most vulnerable.

The PRC has 31 blood centers and 71 blood collection units nationwide. As of 18 January, the PRC has dispensed 13, 938 units of blood, 103 of which were used to treat 35 Dengue patients.

For blood donations, blood requests, and other inquiries, email the PRC National Blood Services at nbs.recruitment@redcross.org.ph or contact the PRC Blood Call Center, which may be reached nationwide by dialing 143. (Philippine Red Cross)