NBSZ chief executive officer David Mvere said the funds were sourced from various donor organisations, including the Centre for Disease Control.
NAT testing is a bio-chemical technique used to detect a virus or bacterium earlier than the community-based virus testing programmes which usually rely on antibody testing.
The procurement of the new machines will ensure early detection of minute quantities of viruses in the blood.
“This reinforces the safety of blood supply as acute vital infections are detected during the window period that are not detected by the traditional screening methods that are using,” Mvere said.
The NBSZ has decentralised blood distribution centres to keep adequate stocks of blood in previously marginalised areas.
The National AIDS Council recently received blood test kits for NBSZ to ensure safe blood products to reduce the spread of HIV using the AIDS Levy funds.
Post published in: Health