Health department cracks down on illegal 'replacement blood' demands in hospitals

The Department of Health has issued a warning to health facilities about the practice of requesting 'replacement blood' from patients. The announcement came on 19 June 2026, reinforcing existing laws on blood donation and distribution. The National Blood Services Act of 1994 already states that blood donation must be voluntary and unpaid. It also prohibits hospitals from requiring patients to find their own donors for 'replacement blood'. Instead, blood should be supplied based on medical need from the hospital’s own stock.

In emergencies, hospitals typically use their existing blood inventory for treatments. Asking patients or their families to arrange replacement donations can cause dangerous delays. Such delays may put lives at risk when immediate transfusions are necessary. The law ensures a safe and reliable blood supply for all patients without relying on replacement donors. The DOH’s warning aims to prevent treatment delays and uphold the principles of voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation. Health facilities must comply with these regulations to avoid compromising patient care.