Reacting to the announcement that the Health Minister Robin Swann has brought rules on men who have had sex with men (MSM) and Blood Donation in Northern Ireland in line with England, Scotland and Wales, Jacquie Richardson, Chief Executive of Positive Life, Northern Ireland’s only dedicated HIV charity said:
“We welcome the reduction for men who have had sex with men (MSM) to be allowed to donate blood after a three month deferral bringing Northern Ireland in line with the rest of the UK. We have come a significant way from the lifetime ban in the 1980’s and even the 12 month deferral which was introduced in November 2017 elsewhere.”
Jacquie Richardson, Chief Executive, Positive Life
“We commend Minister Swann from taking this evidence based decision which will contribute to the chipping away of the stigma that is often associated with HIV. A small action such as this helps to communicate that HIV is no longer the life limiting condition that it was once portrayed.”