Netone has partnered with the National Blood Service Zimbabwe, (NBSZ) to ensure a regular supply of blood to the country’s hospitals. In this direction, the Netone has continued in its Support to the NBSZ which has seen the relationship lasting more than 12 years.
Speaking at an event held to today at the National Blood Services office, Mr Lazarus Muchenje, Netone Chief Executive, said Netone remains committed to providing support to life-saving institutions.
“As the ONE with the people at heart, Netone remains committed to providing support to life–saving institutions and our values resonate with this year’s theme which says “Blood donation as an act of solidarity”.” Mr Muchenje said.
According to the World Health Organizations, there are more than 70 countries in the world where people don’t have safe blood when needed and people often have to find their own blood donors.
“Blood donors save lives every day through their blood donations; in every second around the world, there is a person who needs blood transfusion to survive,” Netone CEO said.
As NetOne, we are playing our part not only financially, but actively creating a voluntary blood donation culture in our staff. Internal campaigns are already on the cards. This year as we are contributing $25 000 towards the NBSZ Blood Donation initiatives.” He added.
Major General (Retired) Dr. Gwinji, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Child Care of Zimbabwe said says the government is in the process of reviewing modalities towards the provision of free blood for all, in public health institutions by June this year. The government reduced the price of blood from $80 to $50.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that regular voluntary blood donation by one percent of the population is the minimum requirement to meet a nation’s basic blood needs.
While the WHO recommends a minimum blood collection index (BCI) of 10 per 1,000 population, in 2017 stood Zimbabwe’s blood collection stood at 65 126 units. And in the same year, the NBSZ managed to meet its demand of blood supply.
Speaking to Esther Massundah, Public Affairs for NBSZ , she said What we collected was sufficient to our demand in ZW. If we over collect this leads to wastages through expirees. Meaning to say what we collect is linked to demand and has to be absorbed into the health system by hospitals have the capacity to transfuse patients.”
“Now that blood is free it means it is accessible to the vulnerable groups hence, we will need to collect more and scale up collections. We will be guided by the distribution patterns in hospitals.” she added.
