Blood theft rocks Masvingo Hospital
MASVINGO – Two hospital staff members have been accused of stealing blood and medical supplies from Masvingo Provincial Hospital, sparking an investigation and concerns about patient safety.
The stolen items, including three units of blood, 300 blood empty plain tubes and 100 purple EDTA tubes, are crucial for medical testing and treatment. The blood alone was valued at US$750.
Investigations led to the recovery of some of the stolen tubes, but the blood remains unaccounted for.
Sources indicate that the stolen blood may have been sold to private clinics locally or outside Masvingo. Doctors in the area speculate that the blood could be used for medical procedures, highlighting the severity of the theft.
Goodson Dzuwalinyenga, a 50-year-old laboratory scientist and Tichaona Shindi, a 36-year-old laboratory technician, appeared before Magistrate Arafat Kozanayi on February 26, 2025, facing charges of theft.
They were remanded out of custody and will return to court today, for continuation of trial.
The accused duo’s defense claims that 12 people had access to the refrigerator where the blood was stored, making it possible for someone else to have committed the theft. However, the community remains skeptical, citing a history of corruption, theft and mismanagement at the hospital.
As the trial continues, the people of Masvingo demand answers and accountability from the hospital’s administration. The disappearance of blood and medical supplies is a serious breach of trust and it’s imperative that those responsible are brought to justice.
