The Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia (NamBTS) has an annual budget of approximately N.dollars 130 million, which is funded by the sale of red cell concentrate.

This is the most common unit, accounting for 80 per cent of the blood Transfusion service’s annual income. One unit is worth approximately N.dollars 2 000, and it is sold to Namibian state hospitals, private hospitals, and private medical practices.

NamBTS Chief Operating Manager Christa Gouws said this on Tuesday during a media day in the capital, stating that there is a lot of confusion among Namibians over why NamBTS does not pay individuals when they donate blood.

Gouws responded that NamBTS does not pay people to donate blood, but rather adds value by ensuring that the end product for patients is safe and clean and that the patients receive the correct blood type and group.

She said that NamBTS’s production costs account for 42 per cent of the company’s annual budget, while running and operating costs account for 11 per cent and staff costs account for 47 per cent.

“NamBTS currently employs around 130 people, then there’s a laboratory in Rundu as well as a donor collection centre in Oshakati and a laboratory and donor collection centre in Swakopmund. We have a donor collection centre and a laboratory in Windhoek,” she explained.

While NamBTS does not receive funding from the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the ministry is currently its largest client, with the ministry procuring 80 per cent of its blood and using it across the country.

“Blood is an expensive product, and the process of ensuring its safety is extremely complex. We still need every Namibian’s help to make every campaign work to keep NamBTS running,” she said.

Source: Namibian Press News Agency