Red Cross says state must force ARS to pay for blood screenings

By Gracie Torrealba
Santo Domingo. Considering the cost of donating blood, Dr. César Matos Moronta, Director of the National Network of Blood Banks of the Dominican Red Crossasking the authorities to force ARS to cover the cost of screening blood donations, which is about RD$ 4,400 PesosCurrently, only Senasa subsidized and contributory insurance cover this.

“First of all, we as humans, as a society, have a responsibility: donations, social security must cover the screening process provided for in the Health Act.”

Screening tests determine the risk of people or groups of people developing a disease. “Recovery Fees”RD$ 3,250 pesos when performing the donation process.

Dr. Cesar Matos Moronta, in an interview with the program El Despertador, noted that this year more than 16,000 blood donors came to the Red Cross, of which only 424 were voluntary donors. In addition, he stressed that 50% of the blood needed in the Dominican Republic is obtained through this organization. To this end, he stressed that “donation activities must be continuous, starting from schools.”

Finally, Dr. Cesar Matos requested a meeting with the authorities to find ways to resolve the cost issue and encourage voluntary donations.