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Oliver Kazunga Senior Reporter
THERE are enough blood stocks to cater for all possible emergencies during the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, the National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) said yesterday. Demand for blood normally rises during public holidays as the number of people injured in road accidents normally goes up.In an interview, NBSZ public affairs manager Esther Massundah said blood group O, which is often in high demand, was well stocked.
“Nationally we’re indeed very well prepared. We managed to hold a number of events last week and collected blood.
“We’re also reminding donors who’re due to come through and donate blood. In terms of the Heroes holidays per se, we’re very well prepared for it and throughout the month of August we’re going to be having quite a number of activities to cater for building the blood bank for the August period. And we also have got blood group O which is well stocked. That’s the type of blood which is always in very high demand,” she said.
Massundah said before they closed for the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, NBSZ had over a week’s supply of blood.
She said at any given time, the blood bank should have at least 1,500 units of the commodity.
“I can’t give you the quantities of blood available in the blood bank because what normally happens is that when you’re looking at a blood bank, you look at it with what’s available in stock and what’s guaranteed, so for me to give you that figure, I wouldn’t have that figure because as of now I think you can appreciate that when blood goes out, blood comes in,” she said.
“So, whatever we managed to collect before the holidays is what’s being used right now and when we re-open on Wednesday our teams will actually go out to collect the blood . . . when looking at a blood bank at any given time we should have at least 1,500 units of blood available and that’s the standard required in the blood bank and it’s also driven by demand from hospitals.”
She said the NBSZ was making frantic efforts through churches, blood ambassadors, exhibitions and shows to concientise people on the importance of donating blood.
Most adults, Massundah added, were reluctant to donate blood because of their busy schedules.
“Adults are reluctant to donate blood and as NBSZ we’re working very hard in conscientising the adults of the importance of donating blood. We’re doing this through various platforms especially corporate blood drives, churches, our blood ambassadors who’re actually donors or recipients,” she said.
The NBSZ collects blood from donors, the majority of whom are the youths.
According to the World Health Organisation, blood collection from voluntary non-remunerated blood donors was the main element of a safe and sufficient blood supply.
Online Reporter