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The FDA announced Monday that it was replacing a lifetime prohibition with a new policy. 5 million donations every year are lifesavers. The Food and Drug Administration is relaxing a 32-year-old ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men. “Thank you to every Australian who donates blood,” Adjunct Professor Ward said. “By simply coming into step with international policy, Australia will be able to increase the donor pool while continuing to ensure our blood supply is one of the safest in the world.”ĬRANAplus and ACN are recommending the deferral period for all MSM wishing to donate blood be reduced to a period of four to six months. “Shortages have worsened during the COVID- 19 crisis, with reports that as many as 900 donor appointments are being cancelled each day,” CRANAplus Chief Executive Officer, Katherine Isbister said.
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According to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, only one in 30 Australians donate blood, but one in three Australians will require blood in their lifetime. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of blood donations in Australia.
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The policy began in 1992 as an outright ban on gay men donating blood following a tainted blood scandal. “Maintaining a 12-month deferral period for MSM individuals exceeds what is required to maintain blood safety and has the side-effect of perpetuating stigmas and stereotypes regarding queer, gay and bisexual men.īlood and plasma donations are an essential health service that can help save lives and improve people’s health.Ī regular supply of blood through blood donation is needed because blood has a limited time for use and there is therefore a need to ensure blood is always available and on hand. Catherine Lewis, a spokeswoman for Canadian Blood Services, said the criteria change is science-informed and allows the agency to be more inclusive about who can donate while still ensuring a safe blood supply. “New and improved testing means blood borne diseases can be detected earlier and more easily,” Australian College of Nursing ( ACN) CEO, Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN explained. It reinforces the global call for more people all over the world to. The message highlights the essential contribution blood donors make to keeping the world pulsating by saving lives and improving others’ health. Under current blood supply protections, there is a 12-month donation deferral period for men who have had sexual contact with other men ( MSM). For 2021, the World Blood Donor Day slogan will be Give blood and keep the world beating. During National Blood Donor Week, CRANAplus and the Australian College of Nursing are calling for Australia to catch up with other OECD countries who have made it possible for queer, gay and bisexual men to donate blood more than once a year.