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‘Govt committed to ensuring adequate blood supply’

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VICE-PRESIDENT Joice Mujuru yesterday said it was critical to adequately fund the National Blood Services Zimbabwe for it to provide quality blood for those requiring blood.

VICE-PRESIDENT Joice Mujuru yesterday said it was critical to adequately fund the National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) for it to provide quality blood for those requiring blood.

Feluna Nleya

Mujuru, who was speaking after touring the NBSZ, said that the government was committed to ensuring that no life was lost due to lack of blood.

“I note the collection, testing and processing procedures that are carried out to produce a single unit of blood are key in the cold chain,” Mujuru said.

“If these processes are not performed according to standard, quality and safety of the blood will be comprised. It is, therefore, critical that this life-saving institution be adequately funded.”

Mujuru said to have quality safe blood for the people, there should be no short cuts in the processes, as all procedures needed to be religiously followed.

“The need for sophisticated equipment to carry out these processes and the accompanying need for periodic and timely maintenance of such equipment cannot be over-emphasised,” she said.

“It is a medical requirement that blood transfusion be done under stipulated quality parameters. I am aware you have been operating under restrictive budgetary allocations. In spite of financial constraints, the institution has persevered and managed to carry out its mandate to this day.”

Mujuru encouraged NBSZ to rationalise production costs on a continuous basis.

Health and Child Care minister David Parirenyatwa said there was need to look at health services in a holistic manner.

“The issue of blood is often not seen as part of health delivery, it is seen as an aside, as a remainder,” he said.

“This meeting is to try and bring that altogether, to look at health in that holistic manner and fit in the NBSZ where it should be fitted into.”

Parirenyatwa said there was also need to look at the price of blood and see what could be done for the common person who needed blood transfusion. Meanwhile, the National Aids Council (NAC) yesterday handed over $200 600 to the NBSZ courtesy of the National Aids Trust Fund (NATF) to help maintain and ensure safe blood for transfusion.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, NAC board chairperson David Mutambara said the organisation had always set aside resources for supporting the NBSZ among the various partners and organisations within the Health ministry it supported.

Health and Child Care deputy minister Paul Chimedza said transfusion of safe blood was a major element of overall HIV prevention strategies which were a priority in the national response to HIV.

“I have always emphasised the fact and need for us to close the gap of new infections and then also strengthen our treatment services,” Chimedza said.

“We have, therefore, to maintain vigilance over the blood we collect.” The NBSZ said although it was costly, all donated blooded was tested as the organisation did not want to take any chances.