Zimbabwe Faces Blood Shortage Crisis as Public Hospitals Run Dry
Critical Blood Reserves Depleted Nationwide
MASVINGO – Zimbabwe’s public hospitals have completely run out of blood, creating a life-threatening crisis for patients across the country, according to reports from The Mirror.
Hospital authorities confirm that national blood supplies have fallen to dangerously low levels, with reserves lasting less than a day in most facilities. “We require 1,600 units of blood daily to meet demand, but currently only have about 300 units available,” revealed a medical source.
Government Funding Shortage Cripples Blood Services
The crisis stems from the government’s failure to pay the National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) for blood supplies to public hospitals. This financial neglect has brought the organization’s operations to a standstill.
Hospitals typically receive government coupons to purchase blood, but these haven’t been issued for months. As a result, patients with means are being directed to NBSZ to buy blood directly at US$250 per pint – a price far beyond what most Zimbabweans can afford.
Patients Left Without Critical Care
Dr. Aspect Maunganidze, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Childcare, acknowledged the crisis in an official statement. “All public hospitals have no blood,” he confirmed, urging the public to donate blood while lamenting the prohibitive cost.
Medical practitioners report that patients needing transfusions – including those with anemia, cancer, pregnancy complications, and accident victims – are being turned away. Surgical procedures requiring blood transfusions are being postponed or canceled entirely.
NBSZ Struggles to Maintain Operations
NBSZ CEO Lucy Marowa expressed concern about the situation but denied allegations that blood is being reserved only for the wealthy. “We’re not denying blood to the poor. Our stocks are critically low because we lack resources for blood collection drives,” she explained.
Behind the scenes, the organization faces severe operational challenges. Staff haven’t been paid, fuel shortages prevent mobile collection units from operating, and basic supplies like donor refreshments are unavailable. The NBSZ also struggles to pay for electricity, laboratory reagents, and other essential materials.
Pricing Structure Worsens Crisis
Sources reveal that while it costs just US$60 to produce a pint of blood, government payment in Zimbabwean dollars has distorted pricing, forcing NBSZ to charge US$250 to cover imported supplies and operational costs.
Source: Nehanda Radio