Online Reporter
Mirirai Nsingo
ZIMBABWE is set to roll out the latest technology that will see recent HIV infections being detected in blood products within 72 hours of infection, as the country moves to enhance blood safety.
With support from the National AIDS Council (NAC) following the procurement of equipment and testing kits worth over US$1,6 million, National Blood Services of Zimbabwe will be doing what is known as nucleic acid testing in its blood products.
Speaking on the sidelines of a National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) fundraising dinner last week, NAC operations director Mr Raymond Yekeye noted this technology will go a long way in ensuring blood safety.
“In the past, we have been supporting NBSZ with HIV testing kits to ensure blood products are safe from HIV infections, while the cost is not passed on to the user.
“Our support has been mainly for HIV testing, so we have been procuring HIV test kits. We have moved in to support with latest technology that is able to quickly detect recent infections and thus through nucleic acid testing we will be able to pick infections that will have occurred between 48 and 72 hours.
“This will go a long way in enhancing blood safety with potential.”
NBSZ chief executive officer Ms Lucy Marowa commended the support, noting it will go a long way in ensuring blood products’ safety.
“This new technology will help us pick up latest infections without having to wait for a window period,” she said. “This will not only improve our blood donation coverage but will go a long way in ensuring our products are safer.
“Already, Zimbabwe has a remarkable safety record of zero transmission of infections in the blood and we are glad this nucleic acid testing will enhance the safety.”
Nucleic acid testing offers several advantages such as early detection of viruses, increased sensitivity, improved safety, reduced risk of transmission and enhanced blood supply safety.
Nucleic acid testing is a valuable tool in ensuring the safety of blood transfusions and protecting public health.
Online Reporter