Ban to be lifted on gay and bisexual men donating blood
Major changes have been made to the rules surrounding sexual activity for blood and plasma donations.
More people will soon be able to donate blood and plasma after changes to the sexual activity eligibility rules were confirmed by Australian Red Cross Lifeblood on Tuesday.
Current donor rules in Australia mean certain people cannot donate based on gender-based sexual activities.
The rule stops gay and bisexual men and transgender women who have sex with men from giving blood or plasma if they have had sex in the past three months.
In a major announcement, however, the organisation said that from July 14 most sexual activity wait times for plasma donations will be removed.
Lifeblood chief medical officer Jo Pink said the change comes at an important time, with plasma now the donation type most needed by Australian patients.
'We're excited to be able to welcome more people from across the community into our donor centres from next month,' Pink said. Current donor rules in Australia mean certain people cannot donate based on gender-based sexual activities. Credit: AAP
'With more than 600,0000 people estimated to be covered by the previous wait times, we now anticipate an extra 24,000 donors and 95,000 extra donations of plasma to be made each year.'
The new changes mean most people, including gay and bisexual men, will be able to donate plasma without a wait period, providing they meet all other eligibility criteria.
People who take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication taken significantly reduce the risk of contracting HIV, will also be able to donate.
Lifeblood said extensive research and modelling show that there will be no impact to the safety of the plasma supply with the new changes.
Gender-based sexual activity rules will still be in place for blood donations, however, Lifeblood said eligibility changes have been progressing with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approving a submission to remove gender-based sexual activity rules in future. From July 14, most sexual activity wait times for plasma donations will be removed. Credit: AAP
'There are many steps that Lifeblood needs to take before we can implement the new gender-neutral assessments, including working with state and territory governments to change the donor questionnaire,' Pink said.
'We hope to be able to implement this part of the changes next year.
'This is a significant milestone in being able to safely reduce wait times and make it easier for more people in the LGBTQIA+ community to donate.
'Blood safety is and always will be our top priority, but we know the current donation rules have been very difficult for many people in the LGBTQIA+ community.
'While they were put in place to ensure a safe blood supply in the past, we know that they've contributed to the stigma faced by the community.
'We hope as we move through the process of seeking to have both these changes introduced, that this will be a turning point for both Lifeblood and the LGBTQIA+ community.'
The changes mean Australia's regulations are world-leading and would 'unlock thousands of life-saving donations', Health Equity Matter chief executive Dash Heath-Paynter said.
'Members of the LGBQTIA+ community members can now help those whose lives depend on plasma donations, without a donation deferral period,' he said.
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