adminMidlands Bureau
The Health Transition Fund has come to the rescue of expecting mothers by releasing blood coupons as the blood price war between the National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) and health institutions persists.
While it’s a relief for pregnant women, the situation remains dire for other patients who might need blood transfusion as they need a minimum $135 for a pint of blood depending on the hospital where they seek services.
Hospitals and concerned members of the public expressed fear that litres of blood stored at the blood bank could expire yet there are people in need of blood.
“Blood does not remain fresh forever. It will turn bad at some time. It is better for the blood bank to lower the price of the commodity in order to assist the needy instead of throwing it away because it has overstayed and then get nothing at the end,” said a health worker speaking anonymously.
Accident victims and anaemic patients remain in danger as hospitals battle the high blood price.
Patients with chronic diseases such as advanced cancer and diabetes and critically ill patients depend on blood transfusion.
While Bulawayo’s major referral hospitals charge close to the recommended NBSZ $135 per unit, Harare Hospital charges $189 while at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals the same blood pack costs $200.
Midlands’ NBSZ Public Relations Officer, Aggrey Ngazana confirmed the arrival of coupons for expectant mothers from Unicef through the Health Transition Fund.
He, however, dismissed claims that the blood stored at the National Blood Bank could turn bad, arguing that supply was actually outstripping demand.
Said Ngazana:
“The good news is that expectant mothers are now covered following the arrival of coupons from Unicef. Other patients still have to pay for the commodity.
“Let me point out that there are no chances of us throwing away the blood in our reserves because we have a scenario where supply is outstripping demand. So we have nothing to incinerate unless we have blood that is not fit for use,” he said.
Donated blood is screened for hepatitis B and C, malaria, syphilis and HIV.
Ngazana said the high operational costs necessitated the price increase which shot from $80 to $135 per unit.
“We are not a profit making organisation. The problems we are facing are operational challenges.
“We need cash for screening the blood. Hospitals collect cash from patients and we don’t.
“The challenge is some hospitals, especially private ones, are putting their own mark up thereby inflating the price of blood.
“We charge $135 per unit and that is our cost of processing that pint. What we charge is less than the region’s asking price,” he said.
Ngazana encouraged more Zimbabweans to donate blood as this would allow them access to free blood, when the need arises.
He said:
“Blood donors get free blood. If you donate blood consecutively 10 times you become a regular donor so you and your relatives receive free blood.
“If we all donate blood, then everyone will get free blood and that way, we preserve lives. Operational costs will then be covered by health insurance or medical aid.”
Gweru Provincial Hospital superintendant, Dr Fabian Mashingaidze, said most hospitals were still grappling with the increase in the price of blood and blood products.
“While we are not against the increase in the price of blood as a result of screening costs, the jump from $80 to $135 per pint is just too high as many of our patients cannot afford.
“An increase of more than 60 percent is just too much. There is a further $20 to $30 that we charge for cross-matching the blood.
“What we levy patients pushes the price of blood per unit to more than $135,” said Dr Mashingaidze.
Cross-matching ensures that the patient gets the correct blood.
Online Reporter