Canadian blood services to end ‘blood ban’ and introduce behavioral-based screening

OTTAWA – Health Canada has approved an end to the ban on gay men donating blood and it could be implemented in September.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said ending the discriminatory ban was “good news for all Canadians” but had taken too long.

Speaking at a news conference in Ottawa, Trudeau said the ban should have ended 10 to 15 years ago, but previous governments had done no research showing it would not affect the safety of the blood supply.

He said his government has spent $5 million on research into the safety aspects of changing blood donation rules and multiple scientific reports have shown that “our blood supply will remain safe.”

Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan called the announcement a “magnificent day” and another step forward for LGBTQ rights.

Liberal MP Rob Oliphant, who revealed his first partner had died of AIDS 30 years ago, said the change in donation rules now means “my blood is as good as anyone’s blood in this room” and was a step forward in human rights and “end the stigma”.

Health Canada on Thursday approved Canadian Blood Services’ request to end a policy that restricts men who have sex with men from donating blood for three months.

The blood service had asked Health Canada to allow it to drop questions about gender or sexuality, basing screening on higher-risk sexual behaviors such as anal sex.

Starting no later than September 30, potential donors will be asked if they have had new or multiple sexual partners in the past three months, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

If any potential donor answers yes, they will be asked if they have had anal sex with any of those partners, and if so, they will have to wait three months after that activity before donating blood.

The agency says that asking about sexual behavior, rather than sexual orientation, will allow it to more reliably assess the risk of infections such as HIV that can be transmitted through infusions.

It also says the change comes after “countless hours” of work by LGBTQ and other groups, who have long advocated for a change in policy.

Catherine Lewis, spokesperson for Canadian Blood Services, said: “This change in criteria is based on science and will allow us to be more inclusive about who can donate while, as always, ensuring safe and adequate supplies of blood and plasma for patients in Canada. . ”

“This change is a significant step, but we know we still have a lot of work to do to build trust and repair relationships with LGBTQ communities, and we are committed to doing so.”

NDP Deputy Critic for LGBTQ Rights Randall Garrison and Blake Desjarlais said in a joint statement that “finally allowing men who have sex with men to donate blood is a long overdue victory for men who have sex with men, the community”. members and allies who have worked tirelessly for years to pressure the government to act.”

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on April 28, 2022.