Blood prices highest in the region, govt blamed for not subsidising NBSZ

Health sector lobby groups have decried the high prices of blood in Zimbabwe with some going as far calling for the disbanding of the National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ).  Blood now costs $100 per pint after being reduced from $135.

Community Working Group on Health director Itai Rusike said

In as much as we understand that there are costs incurred for screening of blood which NBSZ would have collected from our children in schools who they only give Coke and some few biscuits, the prices of blood are too high.

In as much as we understand that there are costs incurred for screening of blood which NBSZ would have collected from our children in schools who they only give Coke and some few biscuits, the prices of blood are too high.

However, permanent secretary in the ministry of health Dr Gerald Gwinji blamed the government for not subsidising the NBSZ saying:

As for the national blood bank, what I can say is that the government is poorly supporting the blood procurement system and that is the reason we sometimes see these prices.

More: New Zimbabwe