Blood Price to Increase by 20 percent

Kamis, 19 Maret 2009 - 17:16 WIB

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VIVAnews - The blood transfusion unit (UTD) of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) in Makassar confirmed a price increase on blood per bag. PMI has yet to validate when the policy will take effect.

"We will definitely increase [the price] this year," said Mardiani Radjuni, PMI UTD Head of Makassar on Thursday, March 19.

A 250 cc of blood bag will cost a minimum price of Rp 200,000 (US$16.67), a rise by Rp 25,000 (US$2.08) compared to the previous price of Rp 185,000 (US$15.41).

One of the factors which causes blood price to increase is the jump in blood price per bag as of January 2009. "The average increase is between 10 and 20 percent. Practically there will be additional fund for blood bag supply," he said.

The increase will not seriously affect low-income families since they will be covered by Askeskin (health insurance for the poor) valuing Rp 120,000 (US$10). The UTD will cover Rp 100,000 (US$8.33).