The cost of blood has been revised downwards from $135 a pint to $100 in a move that is set to improve the dire situation faced by patients, especially pregnant women who require the life-saving commodity, Health minister David Parirenyatwa has said.
By Phyllis Mbanje
For long the emotive subject has been discussed at various platforms including in Parliament with legislators advocating for the motion that government should subsidise the cost of blood to make it affordable to ordinary citizens.
“As from October 1 the price of blood from the National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) will now be $100 for public institutions down from $135,” Parirenyatwa said.
For the private sector a pint will now cost $120 from around $140.
Although the price is still high in comparison with other countries in the region, the move is set to bring some relief to the health sector.
Patients who need blood transfusion required between $135 and $200 for a pint of blood depending on where they seek services.
The Parliamentary Health Committee has previously expressed concern at the high cost of blood in the hospitals.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Nearly half a million pregnancies are expected yearly in Zimbabwe and in a minority there is excessive blood loss, requiring a transfusion of an average of three pints.
Timely blood transfusion is one way of preventing maternal deaths which are still unacceptably high with over 500 women dying per every 100 000 live births.
In 2014 the Health Transition Fund (HTF), a donor pool fund, came to the rescue of expecting mothers by releasing blood coupons which were redeemable at health institutions. However, these were mired in controversies with health institutions using their discretion on who should benefit. There were reports of women being asked to pay for the coupons which were supposed to be free.
The HTF has since been superseded by the Health Development Fund.
Health activists have welcomed the move, but are agitating for further reductions especially for pregnant women.
“This is a very positive move and as government begins to look into these issues of affordability in line with what the masses can afford we should applaud such efforts,” Fungisayi Dube from the Citizens Health Watch said.
She, however, implored all the stakeholders to continue working on further reducing the price.
“It is still too high especially for pregnant women who would have already paid for related maternal services,” Dube said.
