adminTatenda Charamba Features Writer
Traditionally, there is a marked increase in traffic accidents during public holidays mainly resulting in a high demand for blood to help the injured and those in need. With Heroes’ Day approaching, road accidents are anticipated if past statistics are anything to go by. Recently the country woke up to a tragedy in Mvurwi where a Nissan Caravan and Honda CRVcollision claimed 11 lives and 14 people got seriously injured.
A few months before the Mvurwi mishap, 43 people died in an accident along the Harare-Chirundu highway, dozens were left injured and were in need of blood supplements.
There are concerns over the current stocks of blood in the country but more so the cost of blood and its availability especially in emergency situation.
The question on what the Government is doing with regards to the cost of blood in hospitals and what measures are in place to assist those with emergencies but with no money so that they get the blood was posed to the Minister of Health and Child Care Dr David Parirenyatwa in the Senate last month.
Dr Parirenyatwa acknowledged that blood was expensive but said the Government was working on reducing the cost.
“It is true that blood is very expensive in this country. It used to be $135 per unit of blood and it has now come down to $120 in the private sector,” he said.
“In the Government institution, it is still high and is at $100. However, we have gotten certain partners who have assisted us, particularly with pregnant mothers and we now have coupons.
“We have been distributing those coupons. Any pregnant mother who deserves to have blood to use, we use those coupons for them. That has alleviated a lot of suffering for the pregnant mothers.
Speaking on emergency situations, Dr Parirenyatwa said:
“There are still a lot of people who suffer road traffic accidents, need blood and those are emergency cases. We have instructed that all emergency cases should be treated as emergency cases and given what they need to have at that time, the cost will be looked at later on.
“If it is a chronic case, then it is slightly a different matter but for emergencies and pregnant mothers, that is the arrangement that we have.”
According to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Gerald Gwinji with regards to the supply of blood, there are expectations of an increase in blood donations this year compared to last year.
“National Blood Services Zimbabwe is targeting to collect 70 000 units of blood in 2017 which is an increase compared to last year’s target of 65 000 units,” he said.
“To ensure efficiency, NBSZ always monitors its blood bank on a daily basis, this has the desired effect of ensuring that the service always has sufficient stocks to meet demand at all times, even during holiday periods such as the upcoming heroes public holiday.”
Dr Gwinji commended those who have been making donations.
“We would like to congratulate all those who have attained 100 donations or more, whilst at the same time we appreciate all other regular blood donors who haven’t yet reached the 100th donation milestone for also having managed to help save lives,” he said.
Statistics suggest that young people have been playing a leading role in ensuring that the country has reserve blood supplies.
According to NBSZ statistics, 70 percent of blood collections come from school children.
In an interview with The Herald, NBSZ spokesperson Miss Esther Masundah said the objective was to engage the public on the importance of donating blood which is used in times of emergency, especially road traffic accidents.
“There is a gap of participation in blood donation by adults and something has to be done. Research has shown that adults consumed more blood than youths as 80 percent of blood goes to them,” she said.
These figures are a cause for concern, the calls for regular blood donations should be louder.
Ready solutions to blood demand are a necessity.
“The National Blood Services of Zimbabwe continues to devotedly pursue its main mandate of getting more people to donate blood. NBSZ has been seen awarding several blood donors for keenly donating blood in order to save lives,” said Masundah.
She added; “Mothers giving birth need a significant 40 percent of blood units donated. A high supply of blood also goes to people in trauma.”
In 2013, Nagle House Girls High School donated 216 units of the 600 that were donated by schools in Mashonaland East and got awards for that.
Late 2016 NBSZ launched a festive season campaign which started on November 30 and ended on the 31st of January 2017 to cope with increased demand associated with road accidents during holidays.
Government keeps emphasising the need to create a donor base of committed blood donors to avert shortages in times of need.
This was said by director of Curative Services in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dr Sydney Makarau during the launch of the Zimbabwe World Blood Donor Day campaign in Harare recently.
“Stocks need to be replenished and with the blood shortages that sometimes occur, it is important to create a donor base of committed blood donors in both the youth and the adult pool,” said Dr Makarau.
Dr Makarau added Government was impressed by the efforts made by NBSZ in trying to secure a rich blood bank in the nation.
“Ministry of Health and Child Care is proud of the continuous and consistent efforts made by NBSZ in running an efficient blood service programme that is emulated regionally and internally,” said Dr Makarau.
In 2012, President Mugabe urged everyone capable to take part in the blood donations.
“I urge every fit and able person to volunteer and donate blood. Many among us should come forward as new blood donors,” he said.
This year alone, several blood donors were awarded at the World blood donor day awards ceremony where a duo broke Africa’s blood donor record of having donated blood more than 250 times.
A Zimbabwean milestone blood donor Mr Julian Ronald Buss, who broke an African record by having donated blood more than 251 times said he kept donating blood because it did not cost him anything.
“I think I have got into a routine and I believe somewhere in the way it is a way of helping people freely. I mean it does don’t cost me anything,” he said.
Mr Buss said he was proud because he had a universal blood group which can be used on anyone in need of it.
“My blood group being the universal type it can be used on anyone, I am about saving lives so that makes me feel very proud,” he said.
Mr Buss encouraged those who haven’t donated blood to give it a try.
“Of course it is a personal decision but if you feel you can do it please do, there is no reward for it but if you can have time to donate and they find your blood clean why not?” he said.
He said that he was humbled by the fact that he had saved so many lives.
“I just feel fine, quietly in the background I feel humbled with what I have done and I don’t boast about it,” said Mr Buss.
He lauded the NBSZ staff especially the technicians saying they were doing a great job.
This is the fourth decade that Mr Buss has been donating blood. His wife and two children emulated the same culture.
“I started donating blood in 1977 and some of my friends used to donate blood. I am still donating blood despite the fact that my friends who I used to do it with have left the country,” he said.
The size of the needle used when donating blood is intimidating and having to pump blood while the needle is inserted in one’s body can be horrifying but if it’s done to save a life it’s worth it.
The donor’s safety is highly considered as they are asked questions about their health conditions and tests are made to make sure that the donor does not suffer possible complications such as ending up being anaemic.
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