NATIONAL VOLUNTARY BLOOD SERVICES PROGRAM (NVBSP)

Republic Act No. 7719, also known as the National Blood Services Act of 1994, promotes
voluntary blood donation to provide sufficient supply of safe blood and to regulate blood banks.
This act aims to inculcate public awareness that blood donation is a humanitarian act.

Mandated to plan and implement by the Department of Health in cooperation with

Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) and Philippine Blood Coordinating Council (PBCC) and
other government agencies and non- government organizations under the virtue of Republic Act
7719 also known as “National Blood Services Act of 1994”.

OBJECTIVES:
● To promote and encourage voluntary blood donation by the citizenry and to instill public
consciousness of the principle that blood donation is a humanitarian act.
● To provide adequate, safe, affordable and equitable distribution of supply of blood and all
blood products.
● To mobilize all sectors of the community to participate in mechanisms for voluntary and
non- profit collection of blood.

VISION:
Envision a network of modernized national and regional blood centers operating on a fully
voluntary and non- remunerated blood donation system.

MISSION:
● Ensure adequate, safe and accessible blood by:
● Promoting voluntary blood donation as a way of life for every qualified healthy Filipino
● Establishing new blood service facilities and upgrading existing ones
● Organizing association of blood donors and training medical practitioners (nurse, doctor)
on national blood use.

Mission:

● Blood Safety
● Blood Adequacy
● Rational Blood Use
● Efficiency of Blood Services

Goals:

The National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP) aims to achieve the following:

1. Development of a fully voluntary blood donation system;

2. Strengthening of a nationally coordinated network of BSF to increase efficiency by

centralized testing and processing of blood;

3. Implementation of a quality management system including of Good Manufacturing

Practice GMP and Management Information System (MIS);
 4. Attainment of maximum utilization of blood through rational use of blood products
and component therapy; and

5. Development of a sound, viable sustainable management and funding for the

nationally coordinated blood network.

Target Group:
The National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP) of the Department of Health is
targeting the youth as volunteers in its blood donation program this year. In accordance with RA
No. 7719, it aims to create public consciousness on the importance of blood donation in saving
the lives of millions of Filipinos.

Mechanics of the Program:

STEPS ON HOW TO DONATE BLOOD:
1. Go to the nearest Blood Collection Unit (BCU) located at government hospitals.
2. Register as a potential blood donor.
3. Your Health History will be taken.
4. A Physical Examination follows to check on your weight, temperature, pulse and blood
pressure.
5. A blood test will be done to know your blood group type.

A. Before blood donation

1. You will be asked to fill up a Donor's Form upon arrival at the blood collection site.
2. Questions regarding your health history will be asked by a trained professional staff.
3. Pre-donation education and counselling will be given by a trained professional staff.
4. Your weight, blood pressure, pulse rate and temperature will be checked.
5. You will be examined by a physician.
6. Small sample of blood will be taken to check your blood type and hemoglobin level.

Screening and selection procedure will usually take about 10 to 15 minutes. You are encouraged
to give accurate data for your own safety and that of the recipient. All information gathered will be
treated with utmost confidentiality.

B. During Blood Donation

1. You will be asked to lie down on the blood donor's couch for blood collection which will
be done by a skilled phlebotomist.
2. The amount of blood which will be taken and will be determined by a physician. It will
depend mainly on your body weight and does not exceed 450 ml.
3. This will take another 10 to 15 minutes.

C. After Blood Donation

1. You will be advised to rest for 10 more minutes.

2. Beverage and simple snacks will be served.
3. Post-donation education and counselling will be given by a trained professional staff.
4. You will be advised to drink more fluids.
5. The volume of fluids taken is completely replaced by the body within 3 to 5 hours.
POST BLOOD DONATION “DOs and DONTs”
1. Keep an eye on your dressing. Leave the adhesive dressing on arm for at least 3 hours
but should be less than 12 hours. Bruising and Discoloration is an expected occurrence
and will disappear after few days.
2. Avoid lifting heavy objects using the donating arm.
3. Do not smoke for the next 2 hours and avoid alcohol intake for the next 12 hours.
4. Eat regular meals and increase oral fluid intake after blood donation.

Important Info:

BLOOD DONOR QUALIFICATIONS:

⮚ Weight of more than 45kg (100lbs) for 250ml of donated blood, 50kg (110lbs) for 450ml
of donated blood.
⮚ Must be in Good Health
⮚ Aged 16- 65 years of age (16 and 17 years needs parental consent)
⮚ Blood Pressure must be on safe range, Systolic Bp of 90- 160 mmHg and Diastolic Bp of
60- 100 mmHg
⮚ Hemoglobin Count must be at least 125g/L (12.5g/dl)

CONDITIONS PREVENTING ONE FROM DONATING BLOOD:

1. Diabetes Mellitus
2. Cancer
3. Hyperthyroidism
4. Cardiovascular Diseases
5. Severe Psychiatric Disorders
6. Epilepsy/ Convulsion
7. Severe Bronchitis and other lung disorders such as TB
8. HIV infection, AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), Syphilis and other sexually
transmitted diseases (STD)
9. Malaria
10. Kidney and Liver Diseases such as Hepatitis B and C
11. Prolonged bleeding
12. Use of prohibited drugs
13. High risk occupation (e.g. prostitution)
14. Unexplained weight loss of more than 5 kg over 6 months
15. Chronic alcoholism

There are certain conditions that prevent a person from donating blood temporarily or
permanently. Among the temporary conditions are:

● Pregnancy
● Acute fever
● Recent alcoholic intake
● Ear or body piercing and tattooing
● Surgery

PRIORITY RECEPIENTS OF BLOOD DONATIONS:

o Patients suffering from shock
o Blood loss of 20% or more in an accident
o Blood loss during Surgeries
 o Leukemia
o Childbirth
o Major Trauma
o Liver Transplants
o Hemophilia

BLOOD STORAGE (SHELF LIFE)

PAST: Whole blood and Red Cell Concentrates- 4 weeks
LATEST: With blood preservatives- extended to 5 weeks.
Plasma- 12 months (Frozen)

WALKING BLOOD DONORS

Donor’s blood will not be extracted immediately and stored. Blood extraction will be
performed only when needed. This is a list of volunteer community members with their
corresponding blood types at Rural Health Units as a requirement in complying with Sentrong
Sigla Certification. These volunteer community members are called to donate their blood only if
there’s a great need for the blood.

References:
https://www.doh.gov.ph/blood-donation-program
https://www.doh.gov.ph/book/export/html/1416
https://www.scribd.com/doc/78373596/National-Voluntary-Blood-Services-Program-
Philippines