Ruane calls on health minister to lift blood ban
Sinn Féin MLA Caitríona Ruane has called on the health minister to act immediately to lift what she described as ‘the unfair ban on gay men becoming blood donors’.
“This decision from the Court of Appeal that the health minister has the authority to lift the unfair and discriminatory ban on gay men donating blood is welcome,” Ruane said.
“It is unacceptable in 2016 that gay men are banned from donating blood.
“The health minister in London has already lifted the lifetime ban so it doesn’t make sense that it remains in place here.”
“The health minister has previously said he will follow his counterpart in Britain in lifting the ban on the basis of the evidence from the Committee on Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO).
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Ruane added, “He now has the evidence so he needs to act and lift this unfair lifetime ban once and for all.”
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