Blood for sale
By dazzledlady
@dazzledlady (1618)
Philippines
March 10, 2016 5:03am CST
Many of you knew that my father died of Acute Leukemia recently and the nature of his disease requires for multiple blood transfusions. I counted all the packed RBC that he used during his admissions, the total was 19 bags excluding the packed rbc that was transfused as out- patient. As per hospital policy per bag cost Php 11,000 plus and the Php 5,000 is refundable if we replace the blood that we used. Unfortunately, I only have a few acquaintances who have the same blood type and can donate. So, we ended up paying the 11,000 plus every time we had transfusion. But the hospital assured us that there is no expiry on blood replacement.
Right now, I have tapped some people to help me find donors for blood replacement so I can get the refund but I have to pay the donor Php 1,500. I agreed to such arrangement so that at least a certain amount will still be returned to us because we also need the money.
It is not easy to get sick and some are even taking advantage of it by putting a price on it. Another issue of blood buying is when it comes to platelet apheresis . My father had those transfusions as well but you need a fresh donor for it. The pricing range from Php 3,000-5,000 to get a donor excluding the procedure which cost around Php 28,000 and is not refundable at all.
I guess the choices of free things in this world are getting limited.
4 people like this
6 responses
@dazzledlady (1618)
• Philippines
10 Mar 16
Lucky you :). My father's blood type is B+ but only one in our family had the same blood type as him. It was really hard looking for people who could donate their blood for free and if you get desperate like us because it is needed then you have to shed some money and buy the blood of the people offering it.
@Shavkat (140102)
• Philippines
10 Mar 16
It is really hard to find a blood donor. My father also had his blood transfusions when he had his surgery. Eventually, he didn't make it. I think we still have spare bag of bloods. However, we haven't refund it and served as a replacement for the blood that we availed in the hospital.
@dazzledlady (1618)
• Philippines
10 Mar 16
I am sorry to hear about your struggle as well. As far as I know if it have been used or stayed in the blood bank for a long time then it becomes the property of the hospital.
@dazzledlady (1618)
• Philippines
10 Mar 16
Wow, I wish we were in your country. Yes, it was terrible for us . First to look for people who have the same blood type then next is to negotiate the price so that it would not be too expensive because its not the only expenditures we have. we still have to pay for the medicines, laboratories , room accommodation, professional fees of the doctors.
@Scindhia (1906)
• India
11 Mar 16
Didn't know blood as a product was in so much demand there. In most places there are many volunteers who come forward to help. This is definitely a serious situation.