A health expert has raised fears of higher maternal mortality rates due to the suspension of blood collection in the country’s four districts amid rumours of blood suckers.

Dorothy Ngoma said this following the move by the Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS) in suspending operations in Chiradzulu, Phalombe, Mulanje and parts of Nsanje where the rumours are rampant.

Ngoma told YFM online that pregnant women will suffer most as they need adequate blood supply when giving birth.

She said the suspension will also affect children who are anaemic as well as other patients who need blood for survival.

“Well-wishers have to give blood because blood is not manufactured in factories. Now if teams cannot get that support from us the community where can they get that blood from,” Ngoma questioned.