By Ronald Chuma
The National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) is appealing for blood from eligible donors to come forward to donations as blood stocks run low in the country.
In a statement, NBSZ spokesperson Ephraim Mubayi said, the COVID-19 virulent disease has created challenges that have impacted on blood stocks globally and Zimbabwe has not been spared.
“It’s hard to underscore how damaging the one-two punch of COVID-19 and the lockdown measures have been on the blood bank.”
He also put it on documentation that the current blood shortages are not due to the increase of patients and but the lesser donations during the lock down period.
“It’s not due to more patients needing blood products but rather, it’s reduced numbers of donations coming in.” he added.
NBSZ is appealing to all blood donors who are due or who have not donated for a while and to healthy members of our communities who has not donated before to come forward and make a lifesaving donation. The NBSZ daily stock requirements nationally are at 315 units of blood.
“A little of your time will ensure that patients undergoing surgery and receiving treatment for cancer and blood diseases, such as leukemia, continue to receive the life-giving transfusions they need,” he said.
Donors of all blood types are urged to give blood at their nearest donor centre or mobile blood drives. As from Thursday 18 February 2021, NBSZ Clinics open from 0800 to 17:00hrs to provide more opportunity for donors to donate.
