The Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 13th announced the "2nd Basic Plan for Blood Management (2026-2030)" to address instability in the blood supply caused by low birthrates and an aging population.
Over the next five years, the government will review raising the upper age limit for blood donors, push to abolish the ALT (liver function) test, expand evening and weekend donations, and strengthen incentives for frequent donors. The aim is to broaden the base for participation in blood donation and stabilize the blood supply system in response to structural changes in which the donor population is shrinking while transfusions among older adults are increasing.
The following is a Q&A with Kim Hee-seon, head of the Blood and Organ Policy Division at the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
-Up to what age do you plan to raise the eligibility for blood donation?
"We completed a related research project in Dec. last year. The most important premise is safety. We are reviewing both a plan to raise the upper age limit without conditions across the board and a plan to raise it gradually in five-year increments."
-What are the plans to expand donations after 6 p.m. and weekend operations?
"We plan to gather feedback through the end of the year and revise the relevant regulations next year. The key issue is staffing. Operating after 6 p.m. or on weekends is all tied to overtime.
We are also consulting with related ministries so that public officials can use special leave when they donate blood. We are discussing giving incentives in areas such as public institution management evaluations to corporations that expand special leave for blood donation."
-What is your strategy to increase blood donation among younger generations?
"First, we are changing the locations of blood donation centers. Recently, we relocated the center near Hanyang University to Seongsu-dong. We are redeploying them to areas with heavy foot traffic among young people.
We also plan to diversify commemorative gifts. In Japan, they actively use content linked to blood donation participation, such as idol photo cards and character merchandise. We are reviewing similar measures domestically. We are also strengthening social media outreach."
-How will the related budget be financed? Are there plans to raise fees?
"Since 2004, the budget for blood infrastructure has been operated within the National Health Insurance fee system. Blood centers have substantial labor costs because there is much night and weekend work. Reflecting this increase in costs, we raised blood fees last year.
Out-of-pocket costs for transfusion patients are not large. Most are severe cases, so the average out-of-pocket rate is around 5% to 10%, and the rest is covered by National Health Insurance finances."