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Masvingo Correspondent
THE National Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) in Masvingo says it has enough blood in stock for emergencies during the festive season.

The local branch manager for planning and recruitment Mr Michael Chakoma said they collected 60 percent of their total requirements.

“Let me assure the public that we have adequate blood stocks in quarantine for the festive season. We have collected at least 700 units and we are confident we will meet our target of 1 300 units by December, 17,” said Mr Chakoma.

He said although the youths constituted 70 percent of blood donors they were the least users of the product.

“Youths constitute the bulk of our donors and yet they are the least users of the blood products. Last week we had 258 youths donating during a youth donor day. There was a difference from last year’s 298 given the fact that some of our donors are still writing examinations in universities. Our target is attainable given the rate at which we collect blood both during the special days and from our outreach programmes,” he said.

“Last year we had a target of 900 units but we surpassed that by collecting 914 units.”

He said by the end of next week their blood collection teams would have covered Jerera in Zaka District, Chivi and Chiredzi.  Mr Chakoma said they had enough blood-group “O” in stock.