08May/19

Health Canada lowers blood donation abstinence period for men who have sex with men – Global News

Health Canada lowers blood donation abstinence period for men who have sex with men  Global News

The blood donation waiting period for men who have sex with men has been lowered to three months instead of a year, Canadian Blood Services says. According to a release from the blood donation organization, Health Canada approved its request to lower the abstinence period by nine months to bring Canadian requirements in line with other countries. READ MORE: Canada’s limitations on gay blood donations ‘ridiculous’: HIV researchers “This is a significant step towards eliminating the deferral period entirely,” a statement from the health minister reads. “Canadian Blood Services and Hema-Quebec…