World Blood Donor Day commemorations commence
By Desire Tshuma
HARARE – The National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) yesterday launched World Blood Donor Day procession from Africa Unity Square to National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) headquarters in preparation for the 2025 NBSZ commemorations scheduled for 14 June in Kadoma at Jameson High School.
The procession was led by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) band and by the Zimbabwe Republic Police for peace and safe marching.
During an interview with ObserverZim News a spokesperson for NBSZ said that while private institutions may charge more for blood, the official capped price for a pint of blood is US$250. Of that amount, the NBSZ says it earns only US$5 in profit per unit, operating on a cost-recovery basis. The organisation emphasized that it supplies public hospitals with blood for free, with the government footing the bill.
“While blood is generously donated by individuals, it’s important to note that once blood is donated it does not go directly and immediately for transfusion. Ensuring its safety and availability for transfusion requires significant resources,” said NBSZ CEO Lucy Marova.
NBSZ public relations officer Vickie Maponga reiterated that blood is free in all public hospitals because the government pays NBSZ directly. She said private patients, however, bear the full cost.
“To give you a snippet of how successful the blood donation programme has been, this year we are targeting to collect 97,500 units of blood. So far, just for the first half of this year, we have actually achieved about 73 percent of the target, so we are well on track,” said Marowa.
In 2024, NBSZ collected 77,020 units—82 percent of its target. “We are still calling upon Zimbabweans to come in and continue to give blood because it comes in and it goes out on a daily basis,” said Marowa.
“As the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services ( ZPCS), we recognize the importance of blood donation in our healthcare system.
Blood donation is a humanitarian act that knows no boundaries. Every pint of blood donated brings hope to patients in need of transfusions, whether it’s for surgeries, childbirth, or treating serious illnesses.”
“I’d like to commend the National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) for their tireless efforts in collecting and distributing blood to those in need. As we are going to commemorate World Blood Donor Day on 14 June , we urge everyone who can donate blood to consider doing so. Your donation can be the difference between life and death for someone in need, let’s come together as a community to make a difference and give hope to those who rely on blood transfusions,” said Dr Vengesai (ZPCS) Harare Provincial Medical Officer.
The theme for World Blood Donor Day 2025 celebrations by the National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) is “Give Blood, Give Hope – Together We Save Lives”. This theme emphasizes the importance of blood donation and highlights the impact it has on saving lives.
