NBSZ makes steady progress
By Dumisani Ndlovu
The National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has made significant progress in its annual blood collection target, having gathered over 61,000 units so far, with a goal of collecting 87,000 units this year.
Menard Mutenherwa, Blood Supply Executive, expressed satisfaction with the current numbers, stating, “Our blood collection from January to September is at 61,142 units, and that is 93 percent of the target we intend to collect this year. We are happy and would like to thank the blood donors for their positive response and willingness to donate blood.”
The NBSZ has collected around 20,000 units in Harare, 13,000 in Mutare, 11,500 units in Bulawayo, 9,000 in Masvingo and 6,500 units from Gweru.
Mutenherwa emphasized the importance of blood donation, saying, “Blood donation is key and important to the country’s health delivery system, and it can only be obtained from human beings. It is us who can keep the blood bank stocked with adequate blood to give to our relatives and friends.”
He also highlighted that more donors are found among youths compared to adults and encouraged adults to donate blood. To maintain adequate blood stock levels, NBSZ educates people daily about the importance and benefits of donating blood.
There are three types of blood donors, with voluntary non-remunerated donors being the most common and encouraged, constituting almost 100 percent of Zimbabwe’s blood donors. Mutenherwa noted that directed donations, targeted at specific individuals, are less effective in contributing to national blood stocks.
Mutenherwa encouraged existing and potential blood donors to continue donating blood in all NBSZ static clinics in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Masvingo and Gweru.
