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She attributed the increase in blood collections to growth of the blood donor base which has increased from 51 000 in 2011 to 64 000 in 2012.
Asked whether the increase in collections translated to increased access to blood and blood products from Government health institutions considering NBSZ’s policy that requires institutions to pay for blood in advance, Ms Massundah said they were not collecting more than what the hospitals required.
“Our blood collections are based on demand from the hospitals. If demand decreases we adjust our collections. If it increases, we increase our collections,” said Ms Massundah.
She said at the moment institutions who are in arrears were still being required to pay for blood in advance until their debt was manageable.
Government institutions owe NBSZ US$1 063 000 while the debt for private institutions is at US$212 000.
“Blood donors are accessing blood for free should they or their immediate family require a blood transfusion as part of their donor benefit. This is provided they meet the criteria of having at least 10 donations to their name and they are a regular donor,” Ms Massundah said.
Recently NBSZ has been appointing blood ambassadors to promote blood donations throughout the country.
Fungisai Mashavave, Bob Nyabinde, Benjani Mwaruwari, Sandra Ndebele, Tryson Chimbetu and Jah Prayzah are some of the ambassadors identified to promote importance of donating blood.
The cost of blood is still a cause for concern for the majority of poor Zimbabweans who cannot blood products with others calling for free blood.
A pint of blood costs US$50 if you are accessing it from mission hospitals, US$65 from Government institutions and US$105 from private institutions.
The facility for free blood used to be available in the 1980s. Elsewhere in the region, Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi are among countries providing free blood at Government institutions.
Online Reporter