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BLOOD AS A SCARCE RESOURCE Millions of lives are saved each year through blood transfusions. In many developing countries, people still die due to an inadequate supply of blood and blood products. A reliable supply of safe blood is essential for scaling up health at several levels, particularly for women and children. For instance, more than half a million women die every year from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth worldwide (99% of them in developing countries). Hemorrhage (blood loss) accounting for 25% of the complications, is the most common cause of maternal death. Malnutrition, Thallasaemia and severe Anemia are the major diseases prevailing in children. Over 80 million units of blood are donated every year around the world, but only 39% is collected in developing countries where 82% of the global population lives. Up to 70% of all blood collection in Pakistan are given to children with Thallasaemia, which accounts for about one in ten of all childhood deaths in P...