South East Asia faces severe shortage of safe blood

South East Asia accounts for 25% of the world's population but collects only 9% of the world's blood supply, with the result that it faces a serious shortage of blood. It collects 7 million units a year but needs a total of 15 million units.

The problem is further compounded by inappropriate use of blood without separation into its components, with 80-85% of blood being used as whole blood, according to Dr Neelam Dhingra-Kumar, medical officer in the blood transfusion safety division …