NBSZ raises red flag over blood stocks

Zim Now Writer

The National Blood Services Zimbabwe has raised the red flag saying the body is failing to cope with demand for blood this festive season, adding that it is appealing for more donations.

NBSZ chief executive officer said they are targeting collecting 6 904 units of blood throughout the festive season.

“If people were to come forward and support us, then we would be able to get the blood,” NBSZ chief executive officer said.

“We keep encouraging people to come and donate blood. Basically, what we are saying is that if the service is not paid for, then it cannot continue to operate. With the ministry, we invoice them at the end of the month; if they delay paying us then it also means that we delay in procuring the critical raw materials.”

Bulawayo East Member of the National Assembly Ilos Nyoni (CCC) last week complained in Parliament that the NBSZ was underfunded in the 2023 National Budget.

“We know that blood plays a major part, particularly during the festive season where we are expecting to have a number of accidents on the roads. At the moment, these various blood transfusion stocks are very low and the reason is that they are not paid on time by the relevant ministry (Health and Child Care) because of inadequate funding.

“It is very important that adequate funds are allocated to the Health ministry so that we are able to meet funding of this particular important part of health, which is blood and that is life,” Nyoni said.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube responded saying it was not an issue of inadequate funding, but rather about the speed of disbursement of the funds.