The Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 13th announced the Second Basic Plan for Blood Management (2026-2030) to address instability in the blood supply caused by low birth rates and an aging population.
Over the next five years, the government will consider raising the upper age limit for blood donation, 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 of participation in blood donation and stabilize the blood supply system in response to structural changes in which the donor population is declining while transfusions among older adults are rising.
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 the 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 rules next year. The key issue is staffing. Operating after 6 p.m. or on weekends both lead to overtime.
We are also discussing with related ministries allowing public officials to take official leave when they donate blood. We are considering giving incentives in areas such as public institution management evaluations when corporations expand official leave for blood donation."
- What is the 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 high foot traffic among young people.
We also plan to diversify souvenirs. In Japan, they actively use content tied to blood donation participation, such as idol photo cards or character merchandise. We are reviewing similar measures domestically. We are also strengthening promotion on social media."
- How will the related budget be financed? Is there a plan to raise fees?
"Since 2004, the blood infrastructure budget has operated within the national health insurance fee structure. Blood centers often have night and weekend shifts, so labor costs are relatively burdensome. Reflecting such cost increases, we raised blood fees last year.
Out-of-pocket costs for transfusion patients are not large. Most are severe cases, so the average copayment rate is around 5-10%, and the rest is covered by the national health insurance finances."