NBSZ Archives - Page 2 of 5

#JUSTIN: Blood Stocks Gradually Improve

March 5, 2021March 5, 2021 Michael Gwarisa

Blood bank pins hopes on schools reopening THE situation at the blood bank is gradually returning to normal amidst indications that at least four National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) branches are currently running at five days stock levels which is the normal levels for a healthy blood bank . By Michael Gwarisa The development comes at the back of a national call that was made by the the blood bank last month for donors to come forward and donate blood amidst indications that the blood stocks levels were sitting on…

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…

#JUSTIN: Blood Stocks Critically Low, NBSZ Appeals For Blood Donations

February 17, 2021February 17, 2021 Michael Gwarisa

THE National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) is appealing for blood eligible blood donors to come forward and donate blood amidst indications that the blood bank is running low on blood stocks. By Michael Gwarisa The blood bank is currently running on a hand to mouth basis and is sitting on less than a day’s supply, whilst a healthy bank should have at least five days supply. In a statement, the NBSZ Communications Officer, Mr Ephraim Mubayi said the blood stocks levels have been affected by the prevailing COVID-19 induced…

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…

Facebook Partners NBSZ To increase Blood Donations In Zimbabwe

September 16, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

FACEBOOK in partnership with the National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) announce a new feature to encourage people to donate blood. Starting today, Zimbabweans who are between 18-65 years old, will have the option to sign up as blood donors on Facebook, be notified when blood donor centres near them have an urgent need for donations and invite friends to donate. HealthTimes Reporter With Zimbabwe being the eighth country in Africa where Facebook has launched this feature, this initiative comes at a crucial time as the pandemic is now widespread, resulting…

Ministry of Health To Present Grant Proposals For NBSZ Recapitalisation

July 31, 2020July 31, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) says it is working on presenting a grant proposal to treasury for the recapitalisation of the national blood bank in a bid to strengthen the organization’s operations and effectiveness, HealthTimes has learnt. By Michael Gwarisa The NBSZ has over the past few years been making numerous calls for recapitalisation so that they could invest in latest technologies and equipment to ensure smooth operations go uninterrupted. Addressing participants during a Zoom Webinar conference to mark the end of the World Blood Donor day…

Blood Recipient Turned Blood Donor…How Nobuhle’s Labour Encounter Turned Her Into A Blood Donating Hero

June 5, 2020June 5, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

HEROES come in different packages. Some come wielding lethal shiny semi-automatic AK47 rifles and whatever latest weaponry that may be at their disposal. For some, all it takes is just a few minutes of their time and a little prick from a needle to save many lives through donating the precious liquid of blood. By Michael Gwarisa For Nobuhle Magava(45), her experience giving birth to her first child was her Damascene moment, an epiphany that made her change her perception about giving blood for the rest of her life. After…

#JUSTIN: Blood Shortages Hit Zim

June 1, 2020June 1, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

THE National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) says blood supplies has been greatly reduced during the Lockdown period at the back of shortages of critical imported consumables such as test kits and blood bags, owing to serious funding and procurement challenges. By Michael Gwarisa The Blood Bank’s Public Affairs Manager, Ms Esther Massundah in a statement said due to the to the COVID-19 pandemic, the procurement of these critical items has been delayed due to logistics challenges caused by international travel restrictions, which has led to the scarcity of cargo flights. Most…

Plasma, The Most Critical Blood Component For COVID-19 Treatment

April 3, 2020April 3, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE this week commenced its 21 days lockdown as a response to the growing cases of the COVID-19 in the country. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe currently has nine confirmed COVID-19 cases but with increased testing, cases are likely to increase in the coming weeks. In his address prior to the commencement of the Lockdown, President Emerson Mnangagwa hinted that essential services and critical staff in various key sectors will be reporting for work even during the shutdown period. The National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) is among those organisations whose…