A political decision on whether gay men will be allowed to donate blood will be made on the basis of a report being drawn up by a technical team, according to Health Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne.
As things stand, gay men are not allowed to give blood.
He said the team would be identifying the risks associated with gay men donating blood, any factors that could mitigate such dangers and make recommendations. Once completed, Mr Fearne said, a political decision would be taken on whether or not to lift the ban.
On Monday, the LGBTIQ consultative council called for the lifting of the ban. This was among a list of proposals made to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat that included opening up IVF treatment to lesbians.
The gay community has long been calling for the lifting of the ban. In September 2011, the Gay Rights Movement objected to the “discriminatory” practice.
I figured that, if people need, might as well help. It’s a selfless act
At the time, the National Blood Transfusion Service said it had adopted a policy based on self-exclusion in the case of people who had a high risk of carrying blood-borne viruses.
High-risk behaviour included promiscuity and risky sexual behaviour, narcotics abuse, consumption of certain medications and travelling to areas prone to blood diseases.
Men having sex with men were disproportionately affected by HIV, according to recent data in many European countries, the National Blood Transfusion Service noted.
Mr Fearne said the Labour government did not feel anyone should be discriminated against on any level and this included sexual orientation.
However, he added, there were “certain activities” that could be “more risky” when it came to blood donation.
The technical report being compiled will investigate the matter of safe blood donation.
Blood is life
The number of blood donors spiralled upwards to 350 over two days – a considerable increase compared to the average 35 daily donations – after the National Blood Transfusion Service made a public appeal.
Of the 350 donors who responded to the public call made on Wednesday, 80 made their first donation, Chris Fearne said during a visit to the Guardmangia centre.
Megan Pisani, 27, was one of them. She saw the call on social media and decided to donate. “I figured that, if people need, might as well help. It’s a selfless act,” she said, adding she planned to keep donating in future.
Each year, around the world, the number of blood donors drops in summer.
This is due to various factors including the heat and the fact that parents had less time on their hands, as children are not in school, Mr Fearne noted.
“I’m here today to thank donors and also to thank the staff who, when the workload drops, try to find a way to increase it again,” he said.
The blood donation centre is open daily – including Sundays and public holidays – from 8am to 6pm.
This Sunday, a mobile donation unit will be at the Granaries in Floriana between 8.30am and 1pm.