The National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) says its blood stocks are low due to travel restrictions imposed on the country in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before COVID-19, NBSZ relied on mobile blood drives and regular walk-ins at their clinics to replenish its blood bank.
Now, out of desperation, NBSZ has sent out messages to regular donors to come forward and donate blood.
Rutendo Ngara, a regular blood donor, confirmed having received a message from the NBSZ calling on her to come forward and donate blood.
“The NBSZ has never phoned let alone send a message reaching out to me as a donor but that made me realize that they are in need of blood and as a donor, I will go forward and donate to help those in need,” said Ngara
Contacted for a comment, NBSZ public relations officer Sifundo Ngwenya confirmed that the blood stocks are critically low.
“We are appealing to people to come and donate because blood bank is low due to the lockdown. Donors have been facing challenges in traveling to come forward and donate,” said Ngwenya.
“This time around it’s very bad and we need to activate all the possible solutions so that our donors can come forward and donate.”
Ngwenya added: “So we are asking anyone who is between the ages of 16 and 65 who is healthy and strong to come forward and donate on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday when the clinic is open so that they can assist us accordingly.”
