Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THE high cost of blood in Zimbabwe is the main cause of poverty-related deaths amid concerns that it also remains a barrier preventing ordinary people from accessing health services.
Zimbabwe recently joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Blood Donor Day under the theme: Give Blood. Give Hope – Together We Save Lives highlighting the transformative power of blood donation.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, the National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) executive director Lucy Marowa said the organisation aimed to collect 97 500 units of blood this year, having achieved 73% of the target in the first half of the year.
“The target for last year was 88 430 units, with 71 544 units collected, representing 81% achievement and despite operational challenges, we managed to scale up the target for this year,” she said.
NBSZ board chairperson Passmore Nyakureba called on Zimbabweans to donate blood.
“Your donation can be the difference between life and death for someone in need, so let us come together as a community to make a difference and give hope to those who rely on blood,” he said.
However, in a statement Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) executive director Itai Rusike expressed concern over the high cost of blood in Zimbabwe.
“The country faces a high demand for blood transfusion due to bleeding related to pregnancy and childbirth, high road traffic accidents and other types of injuries.
“However, the most affected are pregnant women who require the life-saving commodity. About half a million pregnancies are expected in Zimbabwe and some of these have excessive blood loss, requiring transfusion of at least three pints of blood.
“The current cost of a single unit of blood (250ml) is approximately US$250, an amount well beyond the reach of most Zimbabweans, including those in formal employment.”
He called on the government to take decisive action by significantly subsidising blood services.
“It said every Zimbabwean, regardless of economic status, must be able to access this essential component of healthcare; and called for increased investment in sustainable national blood programmes to ensure both affordability and accessibility of blood and blood products,” he said.
“The shortage of blood and blood products compromises the quality of health, especially where theatre outcomes are concerned. CWGH urges the National Blood Services Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Health and Child Care to urgently devise innovative and sustainable ways of ensuring that they increase the number of eligible blood donors.”
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