Northern Ireland will officially follow England, Scotland, and Wales in removing a lifetime ban on gay men donating blood provided they meet donor criteria.
The policy change which was announced by Health minister Michelle O’Neill will occur on September 15, almost five years behind the rest of the United Kingdom.
Under the new policy and similarly to England, Scotland, and Wales, men who have sex with men (MSM) will be able to donate blood provided they have not had sexual contact with another man within the last twelve months.
With many viewing the outright ban being lifted in favour of a “one-year deferral system” as a win for LGBTI rights, critics have been quick to highlight that the one-year deferral system is already considered dated and in need of reviewing by many human rights groups.
Despite donor good being screened prior to use on patients, O’Neill stresses that as Northern Irelands Health Minister patient safety is her “first responsibility.”
The ban on gay men donating blood was originally brought in across the United Kingdom during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.
Last Updated on Sep 15, 2016
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