A team of auditors has been deployed to one of Zimbabwe’s referral hospitals after blood mysteriously disappeared from the hospital’s laboratory. The shocking incident has raised serious security concerns about Masvingo Provincial Hospital, the province’s biggest referral hospital.
“The audit is expected to take five days and provide much-needed answers to the questions surrounding the disappearance of the blood units,” TellZim News reported.
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Staff Arrested In Blood Heist
A laboratory scientist and a technician have been arrested for allegedly stealing three units of blood from the hospital’s refrigerator.
“A laboratory scientist and technician from Masvingo Provincial Hospital allegedly stole three units of blood from the hospital refrigerator,” TellZim News revealed.
It is alleged that the duo also took empty blood tubes from the hospital laboratory. Their arrest has put a spotlight on how secure blood supplies are in public hospitals.
Hospital sources revealed that the stolen blood was meant for critical patients, including accident victims and those undergoing surgery. The sudden disappearance of these units has left hospital staff and patients deeply concerned.
“We were shocked when we discovered that the blood was missing. This is a major security breach, and we hope the authorities will get to the bottom of it,” a hospital worker, who requested anonymity, said.
Accused Deny Involvement
When they appeared in court, the two hospital staff members denied any wrongdoing. They claimed they were not the only ones with access to the blood storage facilities.
“They said they were not the only ones who had access to the refrigerator, raising more questions about security at the biggest referral hospital in the province,” TellZim News reported.
Authorities are now investigating whether others were involved in the disappearance of the blood. Reports suggest that security measures at the hospital’s blood storage facility may have been lax, allowing for possible tampering.
A senior hospital official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the case has sparked an internal review.
“We have to look into our security protocols. If blood can disappear so easily, what else could be at risk?” the official said.
What Next?
With the audit ongoing, questions remain about how the blood vanished and what it was intended for. The Ministry of Health and Child Care is yet to issue a statement on the scandal. The incident has left the public demanding answers and tighter security at the hospital.
Medical experts say that stolen blood could end up in the hands of illegal traders who sell it on the black market. Others speculate that it could have been taken for ritual purposes, a claim that has not yet been verified.
“There have been cases where stolen blood is sold to desperate patients who cannot afford proper medical procedures. We hope this is not the case here,” a healthcare expert commented.
Authorities have vowed to leave no stone unturned in the investigation, with police and hospital administrators working together to determine how the theft occurred and who else may be involved.
