Zimbabwe's blood bank defended its pricing after people complained about high costs. The National Blood Services charges private patients 250 dollars for each pint of blood. Officials say they make only five dollars profit from every sale. Public hospitals receive blood for free because government pays the bills.
Social activist Freeman Chari believes blood should cost less than 100 dollars per pint. He calculated that blood bags cost about 50 dollars and testing adds another 20 dollars. Labor and storage might add 20 more dollars for a total of 90 dollars. Chari questions why the service adds such large markups for essential medical supplies.
Blood bank spokesperson Vicky Maponga explained the complex process behind blood preparation. Donated blood requires extensive testing before doctors can use it safely. Workers separate blood components and store them under strict international standards. Each step from donor to patient costs money for equipment and trained staff.
CEO Lucy Marowa announced record collection numbers for the current year. The organization expects to gather 97,500 units compared to last year's 77,020 units. Teams have already reached 73 percent of their annual goal during the first six months. World Blood Donor Day celebrations aim to recruit more regular donors across Zimbabwe.
Social activist Freeman Chari believes blood should cost less than 100 dollars per pint. He calculated that blood bags cost about 50 dollars and testing adds another 20 dollars. Labor and storage might add 20 more dollars for a total of 90 dollars. Chari questions why the service adds such large markups for essential medical supplies.
Blood bank spokesperson Vicky Maponga explained the complex process behind blood preparation. Donated blood requires extensive testing before doctors can use it safely. Workers separate blood components and store them under strict international standards. Each step from donor to patient costs money for equipment and trained staff.
CEO Lucy Marowa announced record collection numbers for the current year. The organization expects to gather 97,500 units compared to last year's 77,020 units. Teams have already reached 73 percent of their annual goal during the first six months. World Blood Donor Day celebrations aim to recruit more regular donors across Zimbabwe.
