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01/09/2016
Lifetime Blood Ban Donation Lifted For Gay Men In NI
A lifetime blood ban on the donation of blood by gay men in Northern Ireland has been lifted today, 01 September.
NI Health Minister Michelle O'Neill announced the policy change in June this year.
The decision means men whose last sexual contact with another man was more than 12 months ago will be free to donate blood if they meet the other donor selection criteria. Men who have had sexual contact with another man in the past 12 months, with or without a condom, will still not be eligible to donate blood.
Minister O'Neill said: "As Health Minister my first responsibility in this matter is patient safety. Surveillance data from England, Scotland and Wales and survey evidence from across the UK have provided assurance that the risk is lower with a one-year deferral. My decision is based on the evidence regarding the safety of donated blood."
The change will be implemented by the Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS) which means the criteria will be in line with other groups who are deferred from giving blood for 12 months due to infection risks associated with sexual behaviours.
Sinn Féin MLA Seán Lynch said: "Blood donors save lives on a daily basis and we should be encouraging as many people as possible to become donors.
"This move by the health minister shows Sinn Féin's commitment to equality and we will continue to campaign for the removal of the discriminations and inequalities faced by the LGBT+ community."
(CD/JP)
NI Health Minister Michelle O'Neill announced the policy change in June this year.
The decision means men whose last sexual contact with another man was more than 12 months ago will be free to donate blood if they meet the other donor selection criteria. Men who have had sexual contact with another man in the past 12 months, with or without a condom, will still not be eligible to donate blood.
Minister O'Neill said: "As Health Minister my first responsibility in this matter is patient safety. Surveillance data from England, Scotland and Wales and survey evidence from across the UK have provided assurance that the risk is lower with a one-year deferral. My decision is based on the evidence regarding the safety of donated blood."
The change will be implemented by the Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS) which means the criteria will be in line with other groups who are deferred from giving blood for 12 months due to infection risks associated with sexual behaviours.
Sinn Féin MLA Seán Lynch said: "Blood donors save lives on a daily basis and we should be encouraging as many people as possible to become donors.
"This move by the health minister shows Sinn Féin's commitment to equality and we will continue to campaign for the removal of the discriminations and inequalities faced by the LGBT+ community."
(CD/JP)
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