Question & AnswerQ&A (LETTER OF INSTRUCTION NO. 42)
Hospitals, clinics, blood banks, and similar establishments that violate Republic Act No. 1517 and related rules and regulations are ordered to be closed, stopped, or suspended.
The Secretary of the Department of Health, the Secretary of the Department of Justice, and the Director of the National Bureau of Investigation have the authority to close or stop violating establishments.
Hospitals without blood bank facilities must refer donors to local chapters of the Philippine National Red Cross, the Bureau of Research and Laboratories of the Department of Health, or the nearest hospital, clinic, or licensed blood bank equipped to extract blood.
No, the operation of blood banks is for public health service and not for profit.
No, human blood should not be the subject of public bidding.
Agencies needing to buy human blood should procure it from any licensed blood bank at prices set accordingly.
No, the Presidential ban on the exportation of human blood, its products, and derivatives remains in full force and effect.
Unauthorized persons are to be apprehended, prosecuted, and the operations of those establishments are to be stopped or suspended.
They are directed to devise measures and issue rules and regulations for the successful implementation of the Letter of Instruction.
Blood extraction and transfusion during emergencies must still follow blood banking standards and medical ethics; unauthorized or unsanctioned extraction even during emergencies is prohibited.