KARACHI, July 2: Sindh Minister for Women Development Dr Saeeda Malik on Sunday urged the people to come forward and contribute towards a humanitarian cause by donating blood to meet its shortage in the country.

She was speaking at a seminar arranged by the Fatmid Foundation on the World Blood Donor Day. Dr Malik pointed out that the country needed about 35-40 thousand bottles of blood per year while only 12-15 thousand could be arranged.

This reflects a huge shortage of blood for the patients in need, she added.

Dr Malik said that overcoming this shortage was our national duty and in this regard called upon the masses to voluntarily donate a bottle of blood every 3-4 months.

She pointed out that there was a high maternal mortality rate in the country which was reflected by the fact that three mothers in the country died every minute. On the average one death out of the three occurs due to excessive bleeding, she added.—APP