THE National Blood Services of Zimbabwe has suspended the
credit facility for public health institutions and is now demanding advance
payments in USD citing economic challenges.
The Government scrapped user fees for blood at all public
health institutions in 2018 as most patients could no longer afford the prices
of blood.
Blood has been in short supply for months now and Covid -19
worsened the situation as NBSZ recently ran out of stocks of imported
consumables.
In a memo addressed to executive managers, heads of branch,
finance and laboratory departments dated July 6, NBSZ said it would no longer
accept the coupons that public health institutions were using to buy the blood
on credit and the new payment system came into effect yesterday. “This memo
serves to advise you that NBSZ has taken a position to stop accepting blood
coupons from Government health Institutions with effect from July 7 2020. All
Hospitals are now required to pay for products and services in advance until
further notice. Credit facility can only be extended to a hospital after
completion and approval of the credit application form,” read the memo.
“The costs of critical raw materials and consumables
required for collection and processing of blood components has continued to
escalate as a result of the current inflationary environment. In order to
maintain the quality of our product and adequacy, it has become necessary to
suspend blood coupons facility until payment modalities have been agreed upon
between NBSZ and the Ministry of Health and Child Care.”
The NBSZ said its board had reviewed the financial position
of the services and resolved that the blood user fees for public institutions,
Medical Aid organisations and other health funders shall be paid strictly in
US$.
“Blood user fees for public institutions, Medical Aid
organisations and other health funders shall be paid strictly in United States
Dollars or at an exchange rate equivalent to the Old Mutual Implied rate.
Taking cognisance of the prevailing market rate, the revised fees and services
that apply to both public and private institutions and Medical Aid
organisations are attached to this memo for ease of reference and may be
reviewed on short notice,” read the document.
NBSZ spokesperson Ms Ester Massundah said she could not
comment on the issue because it was an internal memo which was leaked.
Acting permanent secretary Dr Gibson Mhlanga said NBSZ was
yet to officially communicate the new prices to his office and as such he could
not comment.
“I have not seen the memo officially so I do not know how
it got to WhatsApp before it reached the office. I therefore do not know
anything officially and cannot comment,” said Dr Mhlanga.
A local health expert Dr Solwayo Ngwenya said the failure
to access blood by members of the public was an issue of life and death and its
shortage could lead to many deaths at public health institutions.
“This is likely to lead to a rise in maternal mortalities
and women that would have miscarriages as they need blood. Sometimes women who
experience heavy menstruation require blood and as such many women will be
affected,” he said.
Dr Solwayo said there is therefore urgent need to address
the issue of supplying blood to health institutions as lack of blood could
result in deaths.
“People on ARVs, those with chronic diseases and cancer
patients on radiotherapy treatment tend to have a low blood count and if they
face challenges in securing blood they may die. Malaria, severe malnutrition
patients and even children under five will die as they need blood just like
other groups with blood disorders.” Chronicle
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