LUCY MAROWA | HealthTimes

Shortage of Blood Group O Hits Zimbabwe After Festive Season

January 2, 2024January 2, 2024 Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere High demand for blood and blood products during the just ended festive season has led to the depletion of Blood Group O stocks in Zimbabwe. According to the National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ), 52 percent of Zimbabwe’s population are type O blood group, and this makes it the most sought after blood type at any given time, hence the perennial shortages. Group O can donate red blood cells to anybody. It’s the universal donor. Type O positive blood is one of the first to run out…

National Vaccination Drive Could Worsen Already Depressed Blood Stocks

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021 Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE’s blood bank which is currently running at less than a day’s supply of blood could experience a further decline in blood stocks during the forthcoming mass COVID-19 vaccination drive as donors who receive jabs are recommended to wait for at least 28 days before donating blood after receiving their shot. By Michael Gwarisa According to the Food and Drug and Drug Administration (FDA), individuals who get jabs from vaccines such as the AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and the Sinopharm which are replication defective virus vaccines must wait two weeks…

Blood Bank Recruiting Adult Blood Donors

November 26, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

THE National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) board chairperson, Advocate Rodgers Matsikidze says they have adopted new strategies to recruit more adult blood donors to ensure the blood bank does not run dry even in the face of an emergency such as the COVID-19. By Michael Gwarisa The development comes at the back of revelations that the blood bank only managed to collect slightly above 50% of its 2020 blood collection target. According to Advocate Matsikidze, amongst their new strategies include following up on adults who used to donate as…

2019 Top 10 Health Champions

December 9, 2019December 9, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

IT’S that time of the year once again where we appreciate and honour those who sacrificed their time, resources and life to the good cause of advancing quality health services in various communities around the country. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe’s health sector is currently in the doldrums and only a miracle of double proportion can resurrect this ailing industry. The year 2019 was characterised by massive job actions by health personnel, lack of sundries and hospital equipment to mention just a few challenges. However, despite these challenges, some individuals remained…

Gvt Seeks To Maintain Blood Subsidy

July 8, 2019July 8, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) says it is working to boost domestic financial resources to complement the health levy in a bid to finance the free blood subsidy which was initiated by government in 2018. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Chimanimani The development comes at the back of indications that the health levy has racked in not less than ZW$63 million since inception in 2017. Speaking at the belated World Blood Donor Day (WBD) 2019 commemorations in Chimanimani, Manicaland Provincial Medical Director (PMD), Dr Patron Mafaune said…

NBSZ Engages UAE Delegation Over Critical Blood Essentials

March 26, 2019March 26, 2019 NewsRoom

THE National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has presented its five key priority areas to the visiting United Arab Emirates (UAE) delegation in a move meant to improve the organisation’s operating capacity and service delivery. By Michael Gwarisa Making a presentation to the UAE delegation, NBSZ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms Lucy Marowa said the organisation had five key priority areas which require urgent attention. These include Cold chain equipment (freezers, fridges, cold rooms, blood transportation boxes), blood collection vehicles, floor standing centrifuges/refrigerates centrifuges, Blood collection bags and testing kits.…

NetOne Rewards Rural School For Giving Blood

June 15, 2018 NewsRoom

THE country’s second largest Mobile Network Operator (MNO), NetOne yesterday donated five computers to Mutenderende High school from Chirumhanzu for being the biggest blood donor for the period 2017 to date. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Gweru The move is part of their countrywide program which seeks to support schools from all the country’s 10 provinces which are excelling in the areas of blood donation. Addressing delegates at the World Blood Donor Day in Gweru, NetOne Executive Media Services Manager, Mr Clever Isaya said the schools support program was an…

Zim Prepared For Free Blood Initiative…as WHO gives nod to Program

June 14, 2018June 15, 2018 NewsRoom

GOVERNMENT says it is prepared to implement the free blood initiative which commences next month amidst indications that capable infrastructure and funding mechanisms have been put in place to complement the program. By Michael Gwarisa in Gweru The program which is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) in collaboration with the National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) is set to benefit maternal cases and vulnerable societal groups with the aim of closing the high mortality rate as a result of loss of blood. Officiating at…

#BREAKING: Blood Demand To Go Up…As Blood Group O Reserves Run Dry

January 18, 2018January 19, 2018 NewsRoom

AN unanticipated upsurge in blood demand is looming at the back of government’s recent move to slash the blood prices from $80 to $50 per unit at the beginning of this year. By Michael Gwarisa The development also comes at the back of a crisis whereby the Blood bank coffers are fast running dry of blood group O amidst indications that not more than 52% of Zimbabwe’s population belong to that blood group. Briefing Journalists this morning, National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ms Lucy Marowa…