Box 2.

Example of the consequences of problems related to the availability of blood for households

At the end of her pregnancy, the woman noticed bleeding and decided to go to the hospital the same day. She arrived at 11:20 a.m. The physician diagnosed a retroplacental hematoma and performed at 11:40 a.m. The woman delivered a fresh stillborn child. During the intervention, she began hemorrhaging profusely. The physician had requested three bags of blood, but was unsuccessful in getting these. At around 7:00 p.m, two bags of blood were found. Finally, the woman died the following morning around 9:00 a.m. The hospital treatment cost 65,000 FCFA (138 USD) and the food was provided by the family. To cover the costs, the husband had to sell a refrigerator, which he had been using to sell ice and cold drinks in his village.