Prevalence and Trends of Hepatitis B and C Virus Biomarkers in Zimbabwe: Analyses of a Nation's Blood-Donor Surveillance Data, 2015 Through 2018, Plus Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of Population Studies

Towards equitable and sustainable availability of blood products in Zimbabwe: An analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges

“…As an approach to augment this, the NBSZ has purposely assumed a cooperative position to enlighten, raise awareness and recruit as many blood donors as possible to increase the blood donor base to reach 1% of the country's population as articulated by WHO to garner blood sufficiency at all the times [4]. The NBSZ managed to overcome the challenges most of Sub-Saharan Africa faces around shortage and safety of blood by implementing robust diagnostics, blood donor screening algorithms for transfusion transmittable infections (TTI) in addition to donor enrolment and assessment form that also serves as a risk assessment tool and screens for high-risk behaviours in potential blood donors [5]. On the other hand, the systemic deficiencies upsetting the NBSZ include organizational challenges, inadequate funds, unsafe blood donations, outdated paraphernalia, low and or poor quality blood testing kits and an insufficient number of qualified staff [6].…”