Govt secures funds for additional blood inventory hubs
GOVERNMENT has secured funding through the World Bank to create additional blood inventory hubs in the country.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Administration, Christopher Simoonga, says each province will have two Blood Inventory Hubs that is in line with Government’s Policy on decentralisation.
He was speaking during a three-day media workshop on blood donation in Chongwe.
Professor Simoonga disclosed that the creation of the service charter for the Zambia National Blood Transfusion Service (ZNBTS) and other institutions under the Ministry has been done and now waiting for the official launch.
“Government through ZNBTS has come up with communication strategies as a comprehensive sustainable way of publicising the importance of blood donation throughout the country,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary explained that these strategies aim at capacity building towards making Zambia self sufficient in blood and blood resulting in maternal mortality rates reduction, infant mortality rates reduction and generally improving on support to all clinical practices in Zambia.
And Zambia National Blood Transfusion Service (ZNBTS) Medical Director, Joseph Mulenga, says Zambia is recorded to be the first in Southern Africa in efficient blood transfusion and management services.
“Thanks to the new dawn administration , his ZNBTS is more efficient in the management of blood transfusion services in the country,” he said.
Dr Mulenga noted that as a result of government’s support, his organisation is now well equipped with reagents and state of the art equipment such as Abbolt Alinity.
He said the said machine has capacity to test blood diseases, among services.
Mr Mulenga also said blood is a public good that should be accessed by all free of charge despite their social economic status.
“Blood is not for sell. It must be given freely at health facilities,” he said although he took cognizant of operational costs charged by private clinics and hospitals. -