News / Health
Zimbabwe to offer free blood to pregnant women
23 Mar 2011 at 05:28hrs | Views
Pregnant women in Zimbabwe will be given free blood during delivery in a bid to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates in the country, it has been reported.
Zimbabwean health and child welfare minister Dr Henry Madzorera said it should help lower the number of maternal deaths in public health facilities during childbirth, reports local news provider the Zimbabwean.
"It is our priority as the ministry to look into the health and wellbeing of women during pregnancy to preserve lives," he said.
The programme will be funded by donor blood and the government is appealing for more people to come forward with donations.
Dr Madzorera said the ministry had been buying coupons at the National Blood Service and giving them to pregnant women to redeem in blood in hospital.
"We have been buying coupons at the National Blood Service and the hospitals use them to redeem blood," Dr Madzorera reportedly explained.
"About 25 per cent of pregnant woman die because of HIV/AIDS and, in the process, we will be treating the mother as well."
Earlier this year, the European Union pledged to give $2.6 million (£1.6 million) to Zimbabwe to help the country supply safe blood and gases to women during childbirth.
Zimbabwean health and child welfare minister Dr Henry Madzorera said it should help lower the number of maternal deaths in public health facilities during childbirth, reports local news provider the Zimbabwean.
"It is our priority as the ministry to look into the health and wellbeing of women during pregnancy to preserve lives," he said.
The programme will be funded by donor blood and the government is appealing for more people to come forward with donations.
Dr Madzorera said the ministry had been buying coupons at the National Blood Service and giving them to pregnant women to redeem in blood in hospital.
"We have been buying coupons at the National Blood Service and the hospitals use them to redeem blood," Dr Madzorera reportedly explained.
"About 25 per cent of pregnant woman die because of HIV/AIDS and, in the process, we will be treating the mother as well."
Earlier this year, the European Union pledged to give $2.6 million (£1.6 million) to Zimbabwe to help the country supply safe blood and gases to women during childbirth.
Source - Figo.org
