Blood transfusion services gets K3m boost

THE National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA) has given the Zambia National Blood Transfusion Service (ZNBTS) over K3 million for blood collection, processing, and distribution.

NHIMA Board chairperson Fredson Yamba said the money was part of the claim advance payments meant to help with blood collection and distribution across the country.

Mr Yamba in a speech read by NHIMA board member Ernest Mande during the presentation of the cheque in Lusaka, said NHIMA has so far collected about half a billion Kwacha and paid out claims of around K30 million.

He said the reinvestment would be used to procure drugs and infrastructure development for health services that would be responsible for the universal health cover.

He said NHIMA was of great importance in the realisation of health service delivery in Zambia, therefore the board was in support of the plan to prolong life and the donation would go a long way towards serving lives.

Meanwhile, ZNBTS Medical director, Joseph Mulenga said the most sustainable blood services in the world were funded through insurance.

Dr Mulenga said the combination of funding from government and insurance would ensure a sustainable path for the blood services.

He said the focus for the funding was blood collection, processing, and distribution across the country.

And NHIMA director general James Kapesa said the Health Insurance scheme was delivering on its agenda to ensure universal health coverage is attained across the country.