Shortage of blood group O hits NBSZ
Group O is severely in short supply at Zimbabwe’s National Blood Services, and they are unable to fulfil demand.
This comes after the holiday season saw a spike in the demand for blood and blood products.
Less than a day’s worth of blood group O was available in the Harare blood bank right now, according to NBSZ Chief Executive Ms. Lucy Marowa.
“I would want to inform the country that blood group O is now dangerously low. In terms of the other blood groups—groups A, B, and AB—we are adequately supplied. Sadly, we are currently in a grave situation when it comes to blood group O, especially at the Harare branch where we have less than a day’s supply.
She stated, “This indicates that we are unable to satisfy the requirements of our client hospitals that receive services from the Harare branch.”
Blood group O was available in the hospitals in Bulawayo, Masvingo, Mutare, and Gweru that served the other regions for one and a half to two days, according to Ms. Marowa.
However, this implies that it might run out at any moment. I thus urge everyone in the country to show up, especially if they are aware that they belong to blood group O. We simply have adequate supplies for the remaining blood types, the spokesperson stated.
Blood group O is the most common type with at least 52 percent of the country’s population being in this group. It is the universal blood donor and will run out first before the other groups.
Meanwhile, NBSZ has partnered with Redan Fuel in a bid to increase blood collections.
The blood drive will see donors receiving fuel coupons after donating blood.
“We have the Redan blood drive happening on Friday January 5 in all the five branches and we call upon the public to come and donate blood and Redan will give you a five litre coupon of petrol or diesel.
But in between, our static clinics are open throughout the day starting from January 2 up to Friday. Let us stock up our blood bank especially if you are blood group O.
We need you, we need to save our patients, let us come in our numbers,” said Ms Marowa.
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