29 June 2011
Blood donation is set to increase after the National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) established more collection entries to mitigate blood shortages in the country.
In an interview recently, planning, information and research manager, Emmanuel Masvikeni, said blood reserves in the country were meeting the bulk of their needs.
“Blood reserves at the moment are enough, however, we have intensified blood donation by putting up more collection entries, which are in the Central Business District (CBD), Chitungwiza and Hwange,” he said.
In a statement, public relations officer, Ms Esther Massundah, said they have also set up mobile teams for Harare as part of efforts to improve bloodstocks.
“We have established more additional mobile teams for Harare which has improved our donor retention especially for the CBD,” she said.
The national blood provider has set up a Pledge 25 Club that donates blood regularly.
This club represents the pledge that members have made to donate blood 25 times in their lifetime.
Statistics indicate that youths contribute about 70 percent of the total blood collected by NBSZ and the balance comes from adults.
About 80 percent of the blood is transfused to adults and the balance is left for the youths.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) only one to three percent regular donors are needed to ensure adequate blood reserves.
AllAfrica – All the Time
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Zimbabwe: Blood Donation to Intensify