Blood bank imports critical supplies

Bindura, (New Ziana) – The National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) said on Monday it had imported critical blood consumables and test kits that had been in short supply and threatened to disrupt its services.

NBSZ public affairs manager Esther Masundah said the products had been unavailable for a month, but supplies worth R2.1 million had now been imported from Germany.

But she said this was only enough to cover one month, and was unsure of next supplies as the raging Covid-19 had disrupted global supply chains.

The pandemic, Masundah said, had also disrupted the NBSZ’s blood collection efforts as most of the donors were now in lockdown.

“The resources we have imported will cover one month and are worth R2.1 million. However, apart from testing reagents there are other critical imported raw materials such as blood bags, grouping reagents and clinical consumables,” she said.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the procurement of these critical items has been delayed due to logistical challenges caused by international travel restrictions, which has led to the scarcity of cargo flights.”
New Ziana