Blood |

#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…

#BREAKING: Blood Transfusion Breakthrough, Now Your Own Blood Can Be Recycled In Emergencies

February 6, 2020February 6, 2020 Healthtimes

A new surgical autotransfusion device called Hemafuse is set to revolutionize blood access across Africa, HealthTimes has learnt. African Correspondent Hemafuse is designed to salvage and recycle whole blood from cases of internal bleeding. The device can be used in both emergencies and scheduled procedures to recover blood from where it pools inside of a patient, into a blood bag, where it is immediately available to be re-transfused back to that same patient. Hemafuse was created for patients suffering from internal bleeding resulting from trauma, ruptured ectopic pregnancies, or for…

Power Cuts Threaten Blood Bank Operations

July 17, 2019July 17, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

THE National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ), says it is appealing to the national power utility (ZESA) to at least connect the blood bank to a special power grid so as to ensure blood is maintained at normal temperatures at all times By Michael Gwarisa The development comes amidst indications that the blood bank, which is a critical blood storage facility has not been spared by the prevailing power outages and should the situation continue unabated, the organisation would be forced to dispose and or burn tonnes of blood since…

NBSZ On Course To Meeting 2018 Blood Collections Target

December 19, 2018December 19, 2018 Healthtimes

BLOOD collections for the year 2018 have been the highest since 2014, at the back of increased awareness and countrywide blood drives despite an increase in demand for blood which was brought about by the scrapping of blood user fees, the National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has said. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking to HealthTimes, NBSZ Public Affairs Manager, Esther Massundah said the coming in of the free blood initiative for all public health institutions resulted in NBSZ adjusting its 2018 annual collections target upwards by 25 percent from 70,000…

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

January 18, 2018January 19, 2018 Healthtimes

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…

#BREAKING: Blood To Cost $80 Starting Tomorow

October 30, 2017October 30, 2017 Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa HEALTH and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa has ordered the National Blood Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) to reduce the price of blood to US$80 effective November, 1 2017. Due to the exorbitant cost of blood in the country, the Minister of Health and Child Care Dr David Parirenyatwa said, “The high cost of blood and blood products in Zimbabwe has, for a long time now, been a matter of concern for both government and patients. For a start, we have, therefore, instructed National Blood Services…