SA Blood Donor Services: No Gays Need Donate
(Link to article via Title above)
Yesterday, the South African Broadcasting System reported that the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) does not allow blood donations from gay males who have had sex with another male in the last five years. The head of the SANBS, Dr. Robert Cookes, is quoted saying "A man who has had sex with another man within the last five years, whether oral or anal sex, with or without a condom... is not permitted to donate blood and must please not do so."
Two years ago it was revealed that blood donations from black or coloured donors were incinerated or otherwise destroyed by the SANBS because black and coloured blood was considered to have too great a risk of HIV/AIDs. (See article here).
Yesterday, the South African Broadcasting System reported that the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) does not allow blood donations from gay males who have had sex with another male in the last five years. The head of the SANBS, Dr. Robert Cookes, is quoted saying "A man who has had sex with another man within the last five years, whether oral or anal sex, with or without a condom... is not permitted to donate blood and must please not do so."
Two years ago it was revealed that blood donations from black or coloured donors were incinerated or otherwise destroyed by the SANBS because black and coloured blood was considered to have too great a risk of HIV/AIDs. (See article here).
posted by Jana at 9:08 AM
11 Comments:
Don't they test all the blood???
They do test the blood, and blood services claimed when the story broke that they have state of the art testing facilities. So, something doesn't add up. If they can screen for HIV/AIDS, why the blatant discrimination against one high risk group?
Blood services said that their practice of rejecting homosexual blood is an international standard.
My radio station this morning was discussing the issue. They made reference to a survey that was completed after the story broke. Apparently, 63% of those surveyed agreed with the discrimination. [I have no idea how the survey was conducted, or who conducted it, so I cannot attest to the accuracy, but the thought is interesting in and of itself. The whole story is nothing more minor blip on the newsreel at present.]
Canadian Blood services also does not accept blood donations from homosexuals: http://www.bloodservices.ca/CentreApps/Internet/UW_V502_MainEngine.nsf/page/Indefinite%20Deferral#03
I don't know why this should but it really does surprise me.
According to the World Health Organization, HIV-contaminated blood now accounts for approximately 5% of HIV infections in Africa today.
WHO claims that many developing nations still do not carry out even basic mandatory tests for diseases like HIV.
Where South Africa fits into the spectrum of development is debatable, but they have the infrastructure to be able to do proper testing.
Hello there my dear friend!
I can see from a quick view of your posts that you´re dealing with some of this things that "kicked" most of my SA friends out of that wonderful country... i is such a pitty things like that happen!
I admire you, though, cos no matter how hard things might be there, you still fight and work for what you think and feel is right a fair... well done my girl!
I take this chance to let you know that I have a blog myself and the address is www.cecicroatto.blog.com
Feel free to check it out as often as you like! I´ll be very happy to share my life with you as you are sharing yours with me through Internet!
You truly are an amazing woman... and you really inspire me with your work!
Miss you...
Hi Ceci! It's great to hear from you. Thank you're for the kind words; you're too sweet.
Thanks for sending me (us) a link to your blog. I can't wait to hear what you are up to.
Always a pleasure! Hope you enjoy my Blog as much as I enjoy yours!
Jan, I lost your e-mail address... could you send it to me again?
Thanx again!
Love and friendship!
Hey Jana
Been reading your blgo for quite sometime! You have found a fan in me! I seriously hope we can chat -
www.pufftoned.blogspot.com - tried to create a link to it but for some reason it didn't work out!
Sylvia "DJ PuffTone"
You wouldn't believe this but this is my third attempt at placing a comment! Let me try again -
Hi Jana (for the third time)
Have been reading your blog - welcome to SA and there are plenty lovely things about SA!
Hope to hear from you on my side of the blog
www.pufftoned.blogspot.com
Hope to hear from you soon!
Sylvia "DJ PuffTone"
Hey Jan,
Just showing your blog at work.
Aunt Wilma
Hey Auntie W,
Nice to hear from you! How are things with the family?
Jan
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