The government has admitted that unfaithful health workers were selling blood to patients, saying it will immediately fire anyone found engaging in the illegal business.
It has directed all hospital managements to put up posters at the hospitals’ main gates to show that the blood service is free.
The Medical Store Department (MSD) has also been directed to place orders for blood bags indicating that the precious liquid is not for sale.
Illegal sale of blood has discouraging people from making donations because they don’t get it when in need or they are forced to pay for it even if a patient is in critical condition.
It estimated that an average demand for blood per year is between 400,000 and 450,000 units, but the National Blood Transfusion Services is currently collecting between 150, 000 and 180, 000 units per year.
“It’s unethical and illegal for any health worker to sell blood which has been donated for the sake of others. We ask patients and relatives to save the lives of others,” said Health and Social Welfare Minister Dr Seif Rashid.
He called upon the public to collaborate with the government by disclosing health workers who bargain with patients when they are in need of blood.
Minister Rashid was speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday ahead of the World Blood Donor Day which will be marked at the national level in Kigoma on June 14.
Themed ‘Safe Blood for Saving Mothers’ this year’s celebrations will be graced by First Lady Salma Kikwete.
Citing a recent incident in Mtwara Region, the minister said a health worker was fired after being proved to have sold blood to a patient.
“We are aware of incidents of selling blood but unfortunately they are not easy to prove because the negotiation is normally between the patient and staff and its secret but we are working on the matter” he insisted
According to him, 80 percent of women have been dying due to shortage of blood during delivery. In order for the nation to attain MDGs four and five the public should build a culture of volunteering to donate blood for saving lives of people.
National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS) Programme Manager, Dr Efesper Nkya said all regions that do not have a blood centre, are required establish such stations.
Dr Nkya called on relatives and patients to report to hospital officials once they are asked to pay for blood because it is free.
He also said the NBTS has been facing number of challenges including people scared to volunteer fear their will be tested HIV.
According to experts, the leading causes of maternal deaths include hemorrhage which accounts for 34 percent, hypertensive disorder (19 percent), indirect cause (17 percent) other direct causes (11 percent) unsafe abortion (9 percent), sepsis (9 percent) and embolism (1 percent) but are highly treatable with adequate blood supply and medication.
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