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As Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Blood Donor Day on 14 June 2025, the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) paid tribute to the thousands of Zimbabweans who voluntarily and selflessly donate blood. It described individuals who give blood without expectation of payment as true heroes offering hope and a second chance at life to many.
This year’s World Blood Donor Day theme, “Give Blood. Give Hope – Together We Save Lives,” highlights the transformative power of blood donation, honours the unity within communities, and inspires both new and regular donors to continue their life-saving contributions. CWGH encouraged both first-time and regular donors to give blood regularly.
However, CWGH expressed deep concern that the high cost of blood remains one of the major barriers that prevent ordinary Zimbabweans from accessing and enjoying their health entertainment and rights as enshrined in the country’s constitution which stipulates that health is a right.
The country faces a high demand for blood transfusions due to bleeding related to pregnancy and childbirth, high road traffic accidents, and other types of injuries. However, the most affected are pregnant women who require the life-saving commodity. About half a million pregnancies are expected in Zimbabwe and some of these there is excessive blood loss, requiring transfusion of at least three pints of blood. Timely blood transfusion prevents maternal deaths which in Zimbabwe stands at 212 women dying per every 100,000 live births. Maternal mortality in Zimbabwe remains unacceptably high.
The ongoing economic challenges and high unemployment rates mean that many families are unable to afford life-saving blood transfusions. The latest Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS 2023-2024) reveals that only 4% of the population has medical aid coverage. This leaves the vast majority of Zimbabweans to shoulder the full financial burden of blood procurement and other healthcare costs.
It is also distressing that families are forced to sell their prized possessions at a loss to save their loved ones. The current cost of a single unit of blood (250ml) is approximately US$250 – an amount well beyond the reach of most Zimbabweans, including those in formal employment.
CWGH is urging the government to take decisive action by significantly subsidizing blood services. It said that every Zimbabwean, regardless of economic status, must be able to access this essential component of healthcare; and called for increased investment in sustainable national blood programmes to ensure both the affordability and accessibility of blood and blood products.
The Health Levy Fund of 5% tax on airtime and mobile data was set up to specifically subsidize the cost of blood and assist public health institutions in replacing obsolete equipment and addressing the perennial drug shortages in our public institutions and that money should be ring-fenced and used for its intended purpose.
Unfortunately, there is a lack of transparency and accountability on the use of the Levy, hence CWGH called upon the government to utilize the Levy for its intended purpose in a more accountable and transparent manner.
The shortage of blood and blood products compromises the quality of health, especially where theater outcomes are concerned. CWGH urged the National Blood Services Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Health and Child Care to urgently devise innovative and sustainable ways of ensuring that they increase the number of eligible blood donors.
“As a nation, we must prioritize the provision of affordable and accessible blood and blood services. CWGH calls on the government, civil society, and the community to work together to ensure that no life is lost due to the unavailability or unaffordability of blood. In so doing, we not only save lives but also uphold the dignity and rights of every Zimbabwean.
“Globally, an estimated 14 million women experience hemorrhage during childbirth each year. Timely access to safe blood transfusions is vital for saving lives, especially in developing countries where severe bleeding is a leading cause of maternal death,” CWGH said in a statement.
The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) is a network of national membership-based civil society and community-based organizations that aim to collectively enhance community participation in health in Zimbabwe.
