Photo By Lance Cpl. Shawn Valosin (https://www.dvidshub.net/image/1189257) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Ban on gay men donating blood is lifted in Ireland
Irish Health Minister Simon Harris also stressed the importance of people offering blood.
The ban on gay men donating blood has been lifted.
Health Minister Simon Harris stressed the importance of people offering blood and offered assurances that necessary programmes and procedures were in place to protect both donors and recipients of blood and blood products.
“Only 3% of the eligible population of Ireland are active blood donors – yet one in four people will require a blood transfusion at some time in their lives,” he said.
The lifetime ban is being replaced by a deferral period for men who have sex with men. They will be allowed to give blood one year after they last had sex and so long as they meet other criteria.
Photo By Lance Cpl. Shawn Valosin (https://www.dvidshub.net/image/1189257) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons