The Past, Present and Future of the Blood Pre-Deposit System in Korea / 대한수혈학회지

ABSTRACT

The certificate of blood donation was introduced in 1975. Blood donor receives the certificate after donation. The person who has this certificate can receive one unit of blood component transfusion without charge in the hospital when he needs transfusion. The donor can use it for himself or anyone else whom it may concern, if necessary. This blood pre-deposit system in Korea is regulated by Transfusion Law. The government health insurance budget and pre-deposit foundation budget support the reimbursement fee for blood. Whenever blood centers collect blood from donors, they deposit 2,500 KRW into the pre-deposit foundation budget. The return rate of certificates was 15-28% and recently showed a gradual decrease to 13% due to the extension of coverage by government insurance for cancer patients, who are the main transfusion candidates. This system has contributed to the shift from paid donation to voluntary donation for the past 40 years. However, because this certificate imposes financial incentives for donors, the spirit of voluntary non-remunerated donation can be abused. If the transfusion fee is fully covered by government budget, it might be possible to discontinue the use of the certificate in order to implement true voluntary donation.