Lucy Marowa, NBSZ Chief Executive Officer
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has launched its festive season campaign which will run under the theme: “Jingle All the Way to the Blood Bank.”
Speaking at the launch on Monday, NBSZ Chief Executive Officer, Lucy Marowa said while many will be in joyous celebrations, exchanging several gifts, there is need to also ensure that there is provision of the precious gift of blood.
Revealed Marowa: “this season, while many are jingling bells and wrapping gifts, we are inviting Zimbabweans to wrap their arms around a cause that truly matters, that is blood donation.
“The festive period often brings increased demand for blood due to travel, celebrations and medical emergencies.
“Yet, it’s also a time when donations tend to drop.
“Our campaign is about joy, generosity, and lifesaving action. We want every Zimbabwean to know that by donating blood, they are giving the most precious gift of all, the gift of life. “Whether it’s a first-time donor or a regular donor, every unit counts.
“Blood is needed every day not just in emergencies.”
Blood is for FREE in all public institutions
Marowa also took the opportunity to reveal that blood in all public institutions is for free because government pays for it, while at private institutions, it is charged a user fee of US$240.
“Anyone made to pay (for blood) in a public institution, report it, involve anyone, involve even ZACC.
“This is the correct position,” she reiterated.
Collections and targets
Marowa said the target for December 2025, which is the festive season month, is 7 800 whole blood units, which is an increase from last year’s target (December 2024) of 7 460 units though NBSZ ended up collecting 5 432 units.
The NBSZ festive season period runs from 1st October to Mid-January.
She also took time to update the nation that this year, NBSZ targets to collect 97 500 units of whole blood in 2025 and they are banking on achieving that target.
“From January to October 2025, the target was to collect 81 900 whole blood units.
“The actual collections from January to October 2025 is 73 750.
“This is 90 percent (73 750/81 900) achievement for January to October 2025.
“This is also 73 750/97 500 which is 75.64 percent achievement of the annual target.”
She added that total collections from January 2024 to October 2024 were 68 854.
“Blood collections will target ninety-three (93) Pledge 25 (P25) Blood Drives nationwide, Corporates and communities.
“NBSZ static clinics throughout the country will be open for walk in blood donors and only close during public holidays.
“The public holidays are Thursday 25 December 2025 and Friday 26 December 2025 and Thursday 1 January 2026.”
She also applauded their nationwide blood donation drive partnership with Redan, which was held recently as it also helped to boost the blood bank ahead of the festive season.
“The response was overwhelming: we collected 176 units at Redan Zindoga in Harare, 198 units at Redan Msasa, 292 units at Redan Makokoba in Bulawayo, and an impressive 313 units at Redan Main Street in Gweru, bringing us to a total of 979 units. “Although just shy of our 1 000-unit target, we are deeply grateful to every donor who came forward to give the gift of life.
“Your support is invaluable and will go a long way in saving lives this holiday season.”
Marowa added that the media is an important tool to encourage the people to donate blood in their numbers, helping to push positive messaging that blood donation is the new culture and everyone’s responsibility.
Call for extreme caution
She further called on the travelling public to exercise extreme caution and strive to prevent road traffic accidents.
“Road traffic accidents will put pressure on the demand for the already constrained supply of blood and blood products which is typical of this time of the year.”
