Donating blood is a humanitarian act, voluntary in nature, exhibiting love and solidarity between people. It can be said that donating blood is the responsibility of every individual in the community, and the State encourages all citizens to participate in blood donation proactively when in suitable condition. Consequently, blood donors will be entitled to certain benefits.
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Draft Law on Blood and Stem Cells
The Draft Law on Blood and Stem Cells stipulates that blood donors will be entitled to the following benefits:
- Voluntary blood donors (without monetary compensation) will receive:- Free provision of a quantity of blood equivalent to the amount donated when there is a need for blood use during treatment at any medical examination and treatment facility;- One working day off to donate blood and one working day off immediately after donating blood without any deduction from salary or counting towards annual leave or public holidays as per labor law regulations.- Provision of information about bloodborne diseases;- Explanation of the process of blood and stem cell collection, potential unwanted complications, and tests to be performed before and after blood and stem cell donation;- Assurance of confidentiality regarding clinical examination results and tests; provision of counseling about any abnormalities detected during health check-ups for blood and stem cell donation; guidance on how to take care of health after donating blood and stem cells;- Care and treatment and support for the costs of care and treatment in case of unwanted complications during and after blood and stem cell donation;- Enjoyment of nourishment policies after donating blood or stem cells as regulated by the Minister of Finance.
In addition to the aforementioned benefits, blood donors also have the following obligations:
- To be honest and responsible for the information provided concerning their health status before donating blood and stem cells;- To comply with the medical staff's instructions during the screening and donation process;- Not to donate blood or stem cells in cases where it is prohibited after receiving counseling from medical staff.
Blood donation is a voluntary activity, but previously, the draft law proposed a "mandatory blood donation," which sparked controversy. Many opposed this proposal, arguing that "mandatory" implies a violation of human rights and personal freedom. Most experts within the Ministry of Health favor and agree with the volunteer-only blood donation proposal.
According to Professor Doctor Nguyen Anh Tri, Director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, the Draft Law on Blood and Stem Cells may only be presented to the National Assembly for approval by 2018.
More details can be found in Draft Law on Blood and Stem Cells.
Prohibited Acts
1. Coercing or obstructing others from donating blood or stem cells;2. Conducting research or clinical application of stem cells, using stem cells or stem cell-derived products in medical examination and treatment without proper authorization;3. Receiving, screening, producing blood, blood products, and stem cells at inadequately qualified facilities;4. Illegally exporting or importing blood, blood products, and stem cells;5. Deliberately transfusing blood or blood products that do not meet safety and quality standards, except as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 8 of this Law;6. Creating embryos for the purpose of obtaining stem cells for research or treatment;7. Implanting embryos into a woman's body followed by abortion to obtain tissue or fetus for the purpose of obtaining stem cells;8. Cloning to obtain stem cells, except for culturing stem cells for treatment or research;9. Advertising blood and blood products;10. Advertising the use of stem cells for medical examination, treatment, or beauty care without Ministry of Health approval.
