Zimbabweans are facing a dire situation where they’re forced to take on debt to access lifesaving blood transfusions due to shortages in public hospitals, despite the government’s promise of free blood. The National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) struggles to maintain a stable blood supply due to operational challenges, limited financial support and a shortage of donors.
Lloyd Muzamba’s harrowing experience illustrates the gravity of the situation. After a car accident in 2023, Muzamba required an urgent blood transfusion. Despite being admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital, the country’s largest public health facility in the Matabeleland region, a shortage of blood supplies forced his family to purchase three pints from a private hospital at $250 per pint. With Muzamba earning only $270 monthly, his uncle had to sell a cow for $300 and solicit contributions from relatives to cover the cost.
Muzamba’s experience is not isolated. Many Zimbabweans face life-threatening delays due to financial barriers, including blood shortages. Tanaka Moyo, a mother of two, had to borrow money from a microfinance institution at steep interest rates to pay for a blood transfusion during her second child’s delivery. “My husband ran around and borrowed money… The interests are steep and conditions stringent, but he had to act quickly,” Moyo recounted.
Health experts emphasize that hospitals should always have blood supplies available, particularly for emergencies like postpartum hemorrhage, a leading cause of maternal mortality. Itai Rusike, executive director of the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH), notes that Zimbabwe records 212 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, highlighting the need for timely blood transfusions.
The NBSZ attributes the shortages to operational challenges, including limited financial support and a seasonal dip in donations. Vickie Maponga, NBSZ communications officer, explains that without timely funding, they face constraints in mobilizing outreach teams, securing fuel and procuring essential supplies.
To address the shortage, the CWGH’s Rusike suggests utilizing the Health Levy Fund, a 5% tax on airtime and mobile data, to subsidize blood costs and upgrade public health institutions. “The government should utilise the Health Levy Fund… to specifically subsidise the cost of blood and assist public health institutions to replace obsolete equipment and address the perennial drug shortages,” Rusike said.
The Zimbabwean government introduced a free blood policy in 2018, but implementation remains a challenge. While the government covers $250 per unit, private facilities charge exorbitant prices, often up to $500 per pint. Socioeconomic justice activist Carlton Ntini argues that the entire blood transfusion process can cost less than $150 with strategic resource deployment and government accountability.
As patients struggle to access lifesaving blood, the psychological burden is immense. Moyo reflects on the trauma of dealing with debt and medical expenses, saying, “The government must own up to its promises – it’s not only about being free, but must be accessible.”