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Thandeka Moyo, Health Reporter
The Ministry of Health and Child Care has availed $4.2 million towards National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) to subsidise the price of blood from US$80 to $50.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Brigadier General (Retired) Dr Gerald Gwinji in a statement said the measure is among several steps the country is taking to curb high maternal and neo-natal deaths.

“The Ministry has provided a subsidy that is aimed at reducing the cost of blood. $4.25 million has been availed through the Health Levy to subsidise the cost of blood which was at $80 to $50 at public institutions.

“US$8 million has also been earmarked from the same fund to make blood available for free to treat maternal related complications to reduce maternal mortality by half, from the current 36 percent,” said Dr Gwinji.

He said maternal related complications refer to women who will need blood during pregnancy, miscarriages, during deliveries or after deliveries that is up to 42 days after giving birth, or a miscarriage.

In his speech during the midwives national conference recently Minister David Parirenyatwa said his office had heeded the call by midwives.

“Because of the five percent airtime levy that has been collected towards health care, there is an account being run by the Ministry and the price of blood will be reduced to $50 a pint. We are happy that we managed to heed cries from midwives whose jobs have been jeopardised by the non-availability of blood in our health institutions,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

Zimbabwe Confederation of Midwives (Zicom) president Mrs Lilian Dodzo had said many maternal deaths could be avoided by ensuring blood is available and accessible to members of the public.

“We call on the Ministry to ensure availability of blood to pregnant and postnatal women because giving birth is a national duty. As we always say, no woman should die while giving birth,” said Mrs Dodzo.

“Some women die because of bleeding as hospitals are experiencing blood shortages. We call for the availability of blood and blood products in hospitals to reduce costs and deaths related to the non-availability of blood.”

In 2014, the price of blood ranged around $200 a pint and members of the public could only access it after cash payments.

However in June 2016, the NBSZ reduced the price of blood from US$135 (public sector) and US$161 (private sector) to US$120 and US$140 respectively.

The prices were further reduced to US$100 and US$120 in September of that year.

The Ministry of Health further pushed for the reduction of the price to $80 in October.

@thamamoe