Buhlebenkosi Nkomo
Government has confirmed that a “small” fee has been introduced for blood and blood products in public hospitals after the State accumulated arrears owed to the National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ).
The matter was raised in the National Assembly following reports that some patients were being asked to pay for blood despite a long-standing understanding that it is provided free of charge in public institutions. Hon Washington Zhanda asked the Minister of Health and Child Care to clarify Government policy and explain the introduction of charges.
Responding, Health Minister Hon. Dr. Douglas Mombeshora said blood products remain essential to patient care and must be consistently available for emergencies and routine procedures.
“Blood products are crucial to patient care and we treat them as a very important commodity that should be available at all times,” he said.
Mombeshora explained that Zimbabwe’s blood supply system has operated through a coupon arrangement in which hospitals receive coupons used to obtain blood from NBSZ, with Treasury reimbursing the service through the Ministry of Health.
“A system was established in which each hospital receives coupons, which are then used to procure blood and blood products from the National Blood Service of Zimbabwe. Those coupons are redeemed through the Minister of Health, with funds coming from the Treasury,” he said.
However, he told Parliament that the system became strained after Government accumulated unpaid bills.
“We have had challenges where we reach a stage where we owe a lot of money to the National Blood Services, to the extent that they cannot go and get blood, process it and provide it to our hospitals. There will be no money,” Mombeshora said.
He said the Ministry introduced a fee as an interim measure to allow hospitals to collect funds and settle outstanding obligations with NBSZ.
“So, we have introduced a small fee to let hospitals collect the money and then we pay the National Blood Services,” he said.
The minister also acknowledged weaknesses in the arrangement, including alleged abuse of the coupon system.
“We also realised that the system was now being abused. The amount charged was very high and at times, the coupon system was also abused,” he said.
Mombeshora told MPs that Government is reviewing the funding framework and will present proposals to Cabinet.
“So, we are re-looking at that system and I will be presenting it to Cabinet very soon for approval. Once approved, we will inform you of the new position involving blood and blood products,” he said.
He did not specify the amount of the fee or indicate how long the interim measure will remain in place.
