Philippine Blood Coordinating Council

Our Vision

That health services and health-related organizations and agencies shall provide an adequate supply of safe quality blood, promote voluntary blood donation and administer blood products in an appropriate and scientific manner as an integral part of quality health and medical services to our people.

A professional, multi-sectoral, dynamic and innovative organization committed to the promotion of voluntary donation, the provision of safe quality blood and the rational use of blood products by health service providers by advocacy, professional education, technical assistance to policy makers in national and local government agencies and private organizations, networking and research.

Our Objectives

1. To disseminate correct information to the public including children, regarding the benefits and advantages of Voluntary Blood Donation;
2. To motivate different sectors of the society to donate blood voluntarily in order to ensure safer transfusion and to discourage the paid system;
3. To educate medical and paramedical personnel regarding the proper utilization of blood;
4. To promote the use of blood component therapy to utilize blood to the fullest;
5. To improve blood banking procedures and policies especially in hospital-based blood bank;
6. To promote the interchange of concepts and experiences in blood donation and transfusion practices;
7. To foster participation in international activities in Blood Banking and Transfusion

Our Roles

1. Primary Objectives
   1. Professional Education
      • Physicians, nurses and other users of blood
      • Pathologists, medical technologists and other blood bank personnel
   2. Technical Advice to Policy makers and legislature, National and local government
   3. Consultancy assistance to government agencies, hospitals , private sector and NGO's.
2. Secondary Objectives
   1. Public information and education
   2. Networking and Coordination
   3. Research
      • Technical
      • Administrative
      • Psychosocial and behavioral

Our Strategic Plan

1. The PBCC sets as one of its primary objectives to educate the medical and paramedical personnel regarding the proper utilization of blood.
2. The PBCC shall launch a public education campaign regarding the rational use of blood and the advantages of voluntary blood donation.
3. The PBCC, using its official identity as a recognized agency in the NVBSP, sets as one of its objectives a dynamic fund raising program.
4. The PBCC sets its mission of assisting in the quest for excellence in the Blood Banking System of the Philippines through upgrading technical skills and training in quality management.

Our Role in Quality

• Promotion of Voluntary Donation
• Promotion of Rational Use of Blood
• Technical Assistance to Legislative and Regulatory Authorities
• Professional Education
  • Seminars on Quality Assurance in Blood Bank
  • Training Course on Quality Management in Blood Transfusion Services
  • Quality Circle on B T Services

National Blood Services Act Rep. Act No. 7719

• National Blood Services Act Rep. Act No. 7719 was enacted into law in May 1994.
• The bill was initiated by the Committee on NBSP - filed in 1989 by Sen. R. Saguisag.
• Promotes Voluntary Blood Donation and mandates a N V Blood Services Program.
• Phases out commercial blood banks in two to four years.
• Provides Duty-free importation of blood bank equipment, reagents, blood bags, and supplies.
• Regulates Blood Service Facilities

Standards for Blood Service Facilities

The Bureau of Research and Laboratories (BRL), DOH has promulgated standards for Blood Banks/Centers (BB/BC), Blood Collection Units (BCU) and Blood Stations (BS).

National Policy Guidelines were formulated to govern the networking of the Regional & Local Blood Services Networks & Local Blood Councils.

Tripartite Summit

A Memorandum of Agreement between Department of Health-NVBSP, Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) and Philippine Blood Coordinating Council (PBCC) for the collaboration between & designation of Roles of DOH-NVBSP, PNRC and PBCC in the implementation of the NVBSP.

Subcommittee on Professional Education (NVBSP)

The Subcommittee was formed composed of health professional societies and government agencies to conduct professional educational activities.

Task Force #1 - Training of BSF personnel
Task Force #2 - Seminars for Health Professionals
Task Force #3 - W/S on HBTC
Task Force #4 - W/S on LBC
Task Force #5 - Quality Management in BTS

Voluntary Blood Donation

• Before WW II, Blood was collected and directly administered to patients.
• With the advent of anticoagulants, blood could be preserved and stored in Blood Banks
• Voluntary Blood Donation began to be promoted after WW II

PNRC National Blood Program

• Philippine National Red Cross launched the National Blood Program on July 17, 1948 with President E. Quirino as the first Blood Donor.
• The original objective of the NBP was "To maintain a constant and ready supply of whole blood or plasma at least for emergency cases".

Blood Bank Law (Republic Act No 1517)

Subsequently, some government and private hospitals set up blood banks. Through the years, the demand for blood for transfusion grew. Because of the inability of the PNRC NBP and hospital blood banks to cope with this growing demand, commercial blood banks were established. In order to assure the safety of the supply of blood from the hospital and commercial blood banks, the government passed the Blood Bank Law in 1956.

Blood Galloners Club

On July1957, sixteen (16) blood donors formed the Blood Galloners Club (BGC) in ceremonies at the Philippine Columbian Club. The first President was Fr. John Bush, an Australian priest, who served from1957-62. The current President is P/Supt. Joel Torregoza - 1997-present. Their foremost objective was to recruit more donors and increase their ranks.

"Joint Committee on Blood Banking"

An Ad Hoc Committee was formed in late 1980 by the Director of the BRL to study the decrease in the number of professional blood donors. The idea of promoting voluntary blood donation was raised. The Committee recommended the formation of a Joint Committee on Blood Banking composed of govern-mental agencies and health professional associations (Memo circ. No. 10, s.1081).

Philippine Blood Coordinating Council

• In 08 June 1983, Dr. Tomas P. Maramba, Jr., then the President of the PSP invited representatives of the DOH, PNRC, BGC and health professional associations to a meeting to discuss the need to promote voluntary blood donation.
• This led to the formation of the Philippine Blood Coordinating Council which was launched at the PMA Auditorium on September 15, 1983 with Minister of Health Jesus Azurin as the main speaker
• The original concept was that the PBCC would be a coordinating body for the PNRC, government agencies, health professional associations, and health related organizations in the campaign for voluntary blood donation and the appropriate use of blood components.

PBCC – Early Years

• Registered with SEC in February 1984
• First Officers inducted by Lt. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos in April 1984
• First Annual Council Meeting held on 15 August 1984
• PBCC joined celebration of Blood Donors Week in July 1985
• Brochure on PBCC published in 1985
• Transfusion Newsletter first issue – 1985
• PCSO donated P20,000 to PBCC (Res. No. 183, s.1985)

National Blood Services Program

On August 18, 1987, the Department of Health became directly involved in the Blood Program when it issued Department Circular No. 99, s.1987, which enunciated two policies:

1. To provide an adequate supply of safe blood for transfusion, principally via voluntary blood donation;
2. To encourage the efficient utilization of blood resources.

• The Committee on NBSP was created in December 1988 with multisectoral representation under Dept. Order No. 339-K, s. 1988. The DOH, PNRC and PBCC were the key players.
• The Program was promulgated under Admin. Order No. 118-A, s. 1992. The main objective was "To ensure an adequate and equitable supply of safe blood and blood products to patients who need them."
• Blood Banks were established or upgraded in Regional Hospitals or Medical Centers.
• The roles of various organizations in the NBSP were agreed.
• Regional Blood Councils were established in ten (10) regions.
• Blood Seminars were conducted in all regions.
• Workshops on Hospital Blood Transfusion Committees were held in Metro Manila, Baguio, Cebu and Davao.

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