THE IRISH Blood Transfusion Service has said it will not alter a policy of refusing blood donations from gay men in spite of a change in policy announced in Britain yesterday.
The policy aims to “ensure that there is a sufficient supply of safe blood to meet the needs of patients”, according to spokeswoman for the service Mirenda O’Donovan.
“This announcement reaffirms our existing position. It remains as it was – a permanent exclusion,” Ms O’Donovan said yesterday.
In a statement the service said the exclusion is not based on sexuality or orientation but on actions which are medically known to have “a particularly high risk of carrying blood-borne viruses”.
The exclusion does not apply to lesbians or to gay men who have not engaged in sexual behaviour with another man.
Ms O’Donovan said the service would monitor the impact of the UK decision.
“Any change in policy would be on the basis of following evidence. You would have to allow for a certain volume of people before you could make a decision.”
Responding to the statement, director of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (Glen) Tiernan Brady said safety of the general blood supply is paramount.
“But the second point is decisions should be based on the most up-to-date science and should be permanently under review.
“If there is going to be no change, there should be an effective communication of the rationale behind the policy,” Mr Brady said.
Labour TD for Wicklow Anne Ferris appealed to Minister for Health James Reilly saying: “In light of recent developments in the UK and by the European Commission, it is incumbent on the government to reconsider the ban on gay men donating blood.”
The British department of health announced yesterday that “the permanent exclusion of men who have sex with men from donating blood will change to a 12-month fixed period deferral from the latest relevant sexual contact”. The decision follows an evidence-based review by the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs and takes effect from November 7th next.
