02/06/2016
Equality Commission welcomes decision by Health Minister and the Executive to lift ban on blood donation
Commission welcomes removal of blood decision ban
The Equality Commission has welcomed the decision by the Northern Ireland Executive to accede to a request from the Minister for Health that the existing lifetime ban on blood donation by men who have had sex with men be removed and replaced with a one year deferral, which is similar to the situation in Great Britain.
The Equality Commission’s position has been that a ban on blood donations from any group must be based on clear medical evidence and the extent and duration of the ban must be proportionate to the level of risk identified.
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