Emilie Bergeron, The Canadian Press
–
OTTAWA — Health Canada agreed Thursday to eliminate the barrier that prevents men who have had sex with other men within three months from donating blood, but in Quebec, this ban remains except for plasma donations. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggests that he would like Héma-Québec to step up the pace.
“I hope that Héma-Québec will be able to do the same as quickly as possible because (because) it would not be fair for Canadians everywhere except in Quebec to see an end to this discrimination,” he said. press briefing in the corridors of parliament.
“But it’s up to Héma-Québec to make the determinations. It is an independent agency,” he nevertheless added.
Health Canada has agreed to the request from Canadian Blood Services, which intends to implement the approved changes by September 30.
The new approach approved by Health Canada will exclude only “any donor who engages in high-risk sexual behavior, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation,” Health Canada said.
In Quebec, however, Héma-Québec only authorizes plasma donation for men who have had sex with other men. Those who have been sexually active within three months are excluded, a requirement that will be lifted next fall.
It is not until 2023 that the organization intends to allow other types of donations by men who are sexually active with other men.
Héma-Québec maintained last March that its two-step approach will make it possible to collect conclusive data which will then be used to extend the measure to blood and platelet donations.
–
