*📰 𝗡𝗕𝗦𝗭 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗿𝘆* *FOLLOW THIS CHANNEL:✅* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VafsqhK3GJP4zKewiH3u HARARE – The National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has defended the pricing of blood in the country following a public outcry on social media, where citizens expressed concern over high costs—especially in private institutions where a pint of blood reportedly costs up to US$1,000. As World Blood Donor Day approaches on June 14, NBSZ clarified that while private institutions may charge more, the official capped price for a pint of blood is US$250. Of that amount, the NBSZ says it earns only US$5 in profit per unit, operating on a cost-recovery basis. The organisation emphasized that it supplies public hospitals with blood for free, with the government footing the bill. “We operate on a cost recovery basis, meaning that we recover exactly what it costs us to collect, process and distribute the blood. That entire chain is made up of activities whose cumulative cost is currently US$245, thus we charge US$250 to cater for normal process losses,” NBSZ explained in response to questions from ZimLive. However, the statement has not silenced critics. Prominent social activist Freeman Chari challenged the US$250 price tag, arguing the real cost should be no more than US$100. “As a person with a bit of knowledge on how blood banks work, the most expensive thing is the pack, which averages about $40-$50 if bought in bulk. The screening and separation process doesn’t cost more than $20. If you add labour, collection and storage costs of $20 per pint maximum cost would be $90,” Chari posted on X. He added that in 2019, NBSZ’s own CEO Lucy Marowa confirmed a cost of US$120 per unit. Chari called on the government to subsidise blood further as a national service, noting that Zimbabwe needs just 100,000 units annually—an estimated US$10 million investment. In response, NBSZ spokesperson Vicky Maponga highlighted the complex process that occurs between blood donation and final transfusion, including safety screening, component separation, storage, and distribution—all adhering to international safety standards. “While blood is generously donated by individuals, it’s important to note that once blood is donated it does not go directly and immediately for transfusion. Ensuring its safety and availability for transfusion requires significant resources,” she said. Maponga reiterated that blood is free in all public hospitals because the government pays NBSZ directly. Private patients, however, bear the full cost. CEO Lucy Marowa confirmed the organisation is experiencing record blood donation levels, with a target of 97,500 units for 2025. Already, 73% of this target has been achieved in the first half of the year. “Just to give you a snippet of how successful the blood donation programme has been, this year we are targeting to collect 97,500 units of blood. So far, just for the first half of this year, we have actually achieved about 73 percent of the target, so we are well on track,” Marowa said during a press briefing. In 2024, NBSZ collected 77,020 units—82 percent of its target. This year’s World Blood Donor Day commemorations will be held in Kadoma, with hopes of increasing awareness and inspiring more Zimbabweans to donate. “We are still calling upon Zimbabweans to come in and continue to give blood because it comes in and it goes out on a daily basis,” said Marowa. -Zimbabwe News Now