A step in the right direction.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has announced a phased change to the rules around blood donation for men who have sex with men.
Currently, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) has a one-year deferral for gay and bisexual men in order for them to donate blood.
From March 2022, they will be allowed to give blood four months after their last sexual encounter with a man.
Over 400 units of blood are being imported into Ireland this week from the UK’s NHS Blood and Transplant unit due to a shortage in supply.
Many have pointed to the fact that this highlights the hypocrisy in Ireland’s blood donation rules, as gay men can donate blood in the UK.
We are introducing changes to our deferral policy for blood donations from men who have sex with men (MSM). The changes will be introduced in two phases with the initial phase being introduced by the end of March 2022 and the second phase being introduced later in 2022.
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) December 22, 2021
Taking to Twitter, Minister Donnelly explained how the policy now be changed in two phased stages.
“We are introducing changes to our deferral policy for blood donations from men who have sex with men (MSM). The changes will be introduced in two phases with the initial phase being introduced by the end of March 2022 and the second phase being introduced later in 2022.
“The initial phase will reduce the existing 12 month deferral for MSM to 4 months. This is an interim measure while the Irish Blood Transfusion Service introduces new technology, to replace the existing paper health and lifestyle questionnaire.
“This is an important step and follows a report to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service Board by an independent advisory group chaired by Professor Mary Horgan.
“It is a progressive move that I hope will be widely welcomed.”
Earlier this week, the IBTS said this week that blood donations are urgently needed over the Christmas period and into the new year.
Growing numbers of Covid-19 cases in recent weeks have affected blood donation supplies and Storm Barra had an impact on scheduled appointments.
Only 3% of Irish people give blood regularly.
