Zimbabwe Blood Donors Speak Out: NBSZ Responds with New Family Benefit Policy

Zimbabwe Blood Donors Speak Out: NBSZ Responds with New Family Benefit Policy – A wave of frustration and disillusionment recently swept across Zimbabwe’s blood donor community, with many donors expressing anger over the National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) charging steep fees for processed blood — even in emergencies involving the donors themselves or their families.

Social media has been abuzz with testimonies from former donors, some of whom stopped donating altogether.

One user, @LukeShan88, revealed that his cousin had to pay US$500 per session, twice daily for five days following an accident, despite Luke being a regular donor.

Another, @MikelaWacho, proudly type O, vowed never to donate again, saying, “You make it extremely difficult for anyone who needs blood to get it.”

Similarly, @thelmaremekedzo, an O-negative donor, complained, “I’ve donated over 25 times. At least give us something – even a T-shirt. Not just a bun and Mazoe.”

Others echoed her concerns, calling for a more rewarding and supportive system.

In response to the growing public dissatisfaction, NBSZ recently launched the Blood Components Beneficiary Policy, an initiative aimed at rewarding loyal donors by offering free blood transfusions to their immediate family members.

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To qualify, donors must have given blood at least ten times, including once in the past year. The benefit applies to biological parents, children, and spouses during emergencies.

“This policy is designed to appreciate our most committed donors,” said an NBSZ representative. “Now, when their loved ones need blood, they won’t have to pay a cent.”

While blood in Zimbabwe’s public hospitals is officially free, practical limitations – such as supply shortages – often force patients to source blood independently, sometimes at high costs. Major referral hospitals like Parirenyatwa frequently face these shortages, leading to out-of-pocket expenses for desperate families.

NBSZ clarified that fees cover processing and safety protocols, not the blood itself. “Each donated unit undergoes rigorous procedures, including disease screening, blood type classification, separation into components, and proper storage,” the organization stated. “As a nonprofit, we only recover operational costs while ensuring affordability and safety.”

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