Murĩithi, who works as a doctor in Nottingham, has a rare and much-needed blood type but was told he could not donate blood because his wife is Kenyan. Last year, Francis Gĩthae Murĩithi’s story surrounding blood donation made headlines.
In a statement sent to Bustle, THT also says that this rule “ against the evidence from the government’s own advisors, who supported its removal.” The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), a sexual health charity, calls this a “ discriminatory restriction.” The group states on its website that asking the question regarding countries where HIV/AIDS is very common (which has been removed in both Scotland and Wales) is “vague and difficult to interpret by both individuals and healthcare professionals.” At the same time, it “acts as a significant barrier for many who wish to donate and at the expense of the blood service’s urgent push to get more Black people to give blood.” This includes most countries in Africa.”Īccording to The Voice, Britain’s only Black national newspaper, people returning from Ghana, Angola, and Cameroon may have to wait up to four months, and for those returning from Uganda, Nigeria, or Sierra Leone, it can be up to six months. “Discriminatory Restriction”Īs the rules currently stand, donors must wait a minimum of three months to give blood if they have “a partner who has, or you think may have, been sexually active in parts of the world where HIV/ AIDS is very common. While this move has been lauded as a giant step forward in tackling discriminatory health practices, the rules around how other marginalised groups can donate blood are still miles behind - especially for Black communities in England. Prior to 2017, gay and bisexual men would have to wait up to 12 months, an approach that prevented many from being able to donate life-saving blood. If the answer to any of these questions is yes, the donor will need to wait three months before donating blood. They will also be asked whether they have recently used PrEP or PEP (medication used to prevent HIV infection). Instead, everyone, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation, will be asked if they have had anal sex with multiple partners or a new sexual partner.
The change - which came into effect on 14 June 2021 - means that men will no longer have to disclose whether or not they have sex with men.
After decades of campaigning from organisers and charities, the rules around how gay and bisexual men in England, Scotland, and Wales can donate blood finally changed this summer.