CEOAFRICA news gathered from Zimbabwe that the price of blood is currently on the rise as Government hospitals now charge around $100, while private institutions were charging as high as $189 per pint of blood.

Speaking to journalists about this development, Mrs. Esther Massundah, who is the public affairs manager of National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) said, “The price of blood was adjusted with effect from July 1. The NBSZ increased charges to Government and mission hospitals from $50 to $80 while private hospitals will now have to pay $110,” she said.

The price increase, she said, was necessitated by the reduction in support from resource partners as the current price to produce a unit of blood is pegged at $110. “As a Blood Service, we do not have any say in what the hospital charges the patients as our responsibility ends in ensuring that the blood is distributed to the health institutions as and when it is needed,” she said.

Some residents in the country have started expressing displeasure over the price increase describing it as beyond the reach of the ordinary people.