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THE expiry at the end of the month of the donor-funded programme to provide free blood for patients will see some pregnant women having to pay for blood in the event of complications.

Nearly half a million pregnancies are expected yearly in Zimbabwe and in a minority there is excessive blood loss, requiring a transfusion of an average of three pints.

A pint of blood costs US$65 in Government institutions and US$50 for mission hospitals, while maternity user fees are pegged at US$150 for normal delivery and US$450 for c-section at Government hospitals. Clinics charge US$25.   

National Blood Services Zimbabwe spokesperson Ms Esther Massundah said come July 1, they will revert to the old system whereby women pay for their blood through hospitals.

"No tangible arrangement has been put in place to replace the financing," said National Blood Services Zimbabwe spokesperson Ms Esther Massundah.

The blood coupon system was introduced by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in March 2010 after which the European Union took over in January 2011, but the system is coming to an end come June 30. Pregnant Blood
Source: Byo24News

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