By Tendai Chisiri
THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE has made a significant commitment to ensuring that blood is available free of charge to all patients in public hospitals. The Government launched this free blood initiative in the year 2018. The initiative aims to provide free blood and blood products to vulnerable groups in public health institutions.
The National Blood Service Zimbabwe ( NBSZ) said in a press statement that it is therefore important to note that no patient pays for blood in public hospitals because the blood is paid for by the Government of Zimbabwe.
Once blood is dispatched from the NBSZ to healthcare facilities, it is managed by those institutions and NBSZ does not have direct control over how the blood is distributed or accessed by patients. However, NBSZ remains committed to working closely with healthcare providers to ensure transparency and efficiency in the system.
The NBSZ remains steadfast in its commitment in appreciating and supporting its dedicated blood donors.
“We would like to announce that NBSZ has a BLOOD COMPONENTS BENEFICIARY POLICY designed to ensure that our donors are adequately recognized and cared for. Under this policy, blood donors who have given blood 10 times or more, with their last donation made within the past 12 months, are entitled to free blood for their biological parents, children, or spouse in the event that they require blood for transfusion purposes”, NBSZ said
NBSZ is committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure that blood donors are well-catered for. Blood donor’s generosity not only saves lives but strengthens the foundation of a healthy and thriving nation.
NBSZ, is a non-profit organisation which is dedicated to collecting and distributing blood products in Zimbabwe.
“At the NBSZ, we greatly appreciate blood donors as their contributions save countless lives and we do understand the public’s interest in knowing how blood is managed and distributed. It is important to clarify that the NBSZ’s role is to ensure a safe and sustainable blood supply for all patients in need. Our mission as an organisation is to provide innovative blood services that meet world-class standards, ensuring safety, accessibility and excellence in healthcare”, NBSZ states.
NBSZ Communications Officer Vickie Maponga Mlilo also said while blood itself is donated freely by generous individuals, the process of making it safe and available for transfusion involves significant costs.
“These costs are essential to maintaining the integrity of the blood supply chain.It’s important to understand that once blood is donated, it does not go directly for transfusion. Instead, it undergoes rigorous testing for infections, blood grouping, separation into components, safe storage and then distribution. These processes require advanced equipment, skilled scientist’s personnel, specialised storage facilities and strict adherence to international safety standards”, she said
As a non-profit organisation, NBSZ strives to recover only the operational costs associated with these processes, while ensuring that blood products remain accessible to all individuals who require blood transfusion as an intervention.
Some of the processes include:
1. Testing : Each unit of donated blood is thoroughly tested in line with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations in the laboratory for infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and syphilis, among others. This ensures that the blood is free from pathogens. In simple terms a pathogen is basically anything microscopic that can invade the body and can lead to disease. Therefore, these tests are necessary so that we ensure that the recipients are protected during transfusion.
2. Processing : The blood is separated into its main components that is – red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. This allows medical professionals to use the specific component required for a patient’s treatment, maximizing the utility of each donation.
3. Storage: The blood components are stored under carefully controlled conditions to maintain their quality. Each component has specific storage requirements such as cold temperatures and the components have a limited shelf life.
4. Quality Control: Throughout the entire process, rigorous quality control measures are in place to ensure that every step meets the highest standards.These procedures are vital in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of blood transfusions. It also means that when patients receive blood, they can do so with confidence, knowing that every precaution has been taken to safeguard their health.
NBSZ value blood donors and will always strive to support them in meaningful ways.
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