adminChronicle Reporter
National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has called for more blood donors to beef up its diminishing stocks, particularly group ‘O’ type.
NBSZ public relations manager Esther Massunda, said there was a high demand for blood group ‘O’ during the last festive season from major public health centres.
“We used 4,523 units of blood in the last festive season compared to the general requirement of 2,500 units. The challenge we face is that hospitals are mainly ordering blood group ‘O’ instead of different blood groups, and that affects the stock of blood,” she said.
Massunda urged hospitals to be specific when ordering blood from the blood bank and ensure their requirements meet patients’ need.
She said NBSZ was working on intensifying blood collection programmes to improve its blood supplies and urged members of the public to donate.
“With schools having re-opened, we are expecting to see an improvement in blood donations. NBSZ resumed collection of blood from schools from January 15, 2014. We are calling for more blood donors to beef up our stocks,” said Massunda.
She said NBSZ mobile teams were collecting blood every day including weekends to boost the blood stocks.
Online Reporter