Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
SCHOOL-going children and adults who regularly donate blood can secure free blood transfusions for their immediate family members under an incentive scheme administered by the National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ).
The initiative, which falls under the NBSZ Blood Components Beneficiary Policy, is designed to recognise and reward committed blood donors while strengthening the country’s voluntary blood donation programme.
Under the policy, adult donors who have donated blood at least 10 times and whose most recent donation was made within the previous 12 months qualify for free blood products for their biological parents, spouse or children should they require a transfusion.
For school-going donors, the qualification threshold is lower. Learners who have donated blood at least five times, with their most recent donation made within the past year, are eligible for the benefit, which applies specifically to their biological parents.
Speaking on the initiative, NBSZ chief executive officer Ms Lucy Marowa said the policy was established to ensure that loyal blood donors receive meaningful recognition and support.
“We would like to announce that NBSZ has a Blood Components Beneficiary Policy designed to ensure that our donors are adequately recognised and cared for,” said Ms Marowa.
“Under this policy, blood donors who have given blood 10 times or more, with their last donation made within the past 12 months, are entitled to free blood for their biological parents, children or spouse should they require a blood transfusion.”
She clarified that the benefit is strictly limited to immediate family members.
“When we talk about close relatives, we are referring to your parents, your spouse and your children. Should any of them require blood, we will be able to provide it free of charge,” she said.
“This excludes uncles, friends and siblings. We believe siblings should also be encouraged to donate blood themselves. The policy specifically covers parents, spouses and children.”
Ms Marowa said the reduced qualification threshold for school-going donors acknowledges the limited time they have to accumulate donations.
“If you are a school-going child, your donations only need to be five because it naturally takes longer for young donors to reach 10 donations. However, the last donation must still have been made within the previous 12 months,” she said.
She further explained that the policy mainly benefits patients receiving treatment at private health institutions, where blood products are ordinarily paid for by patients or their families.
“Blood transfusions are already provided free of charge in Government hospitals under existing public health support programmes. This policy primarily assists qualifying donors and their families when accessing treatment in private healthcare facilities,” she said.
The reminder comes as Zimbabwe prepares to commemorate World Blood Donor Day. This year’s national celebrations will be held in Bulawayo on June 12, two days ahead of the global observance on June 14.
The commemorations will run under the international theme: “One drop of Humanity: Give Blood, Save Lives.”
Peter Tanyanyiwa