Graham Sher, CEO of Canadian Blood Services, says evidence shows that anal sex is a higher risk factor for transmitting diseases like HIV. Sher says it's true that individuals taking PrEP and PEP have a lower risk of transmitting infections through sexual intercourse and they might have a low viral load, but that doesn't necessarily apply to blood, especially for people who might be getting half a litre of it.ĭr. Individuals who use PrEP and PEP - medication to prevent HIV infections - must also wait four months since they were last on the medication to donate blood. Evidence speaks to anal sex as the risk factor," said Sher. "While it is a very important public health measure and a safe sexual practice to do, over a body of time, it's not the primary risk factor. When asked about why individuals who use condoms can't be exempt from the deferral, Sher says it's difficult for donors to recall with accuracy whether they used a condom for every sexual interaction. Then it's vaginal sex or oral sex," Sher said. "The evidence is really clear that anal sex is still a significantly higher risk factor for transmission of diseases, such as HIV. Graham Sher, CEO of Canadian Blood Services, says the policy is based upon extensive domestic and international research. While some celebrated the move, others aren’t convinced the new screening questions will fix the problem.ĭr.
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That's what they're saying with this new policy," said Karas.ĭuration 3:04 Health Canada has approved ending a ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men, basing screening on sexual behaviour instead of gender or sexuality. They're stigmatizing us through this new policy. "What they're saying is that gay and bi men and transgender. "They won't be screening for vaginal sex, they won't be screening for condom use or any other risk behaviour that they should be screening for," he said. Karas notes there are no questions about vaginal sex in the questionnaire, even though it is one of the primary modes of HIV infection. Anal sex is high risk factor, says doctor It also says the shift comes after "countless hours" of work by LGBTQ and other groups, who have long advocated for a change in policy. The agency says asking about sexual behaviour, rather than sexual orientation, will allow it to more reliably assess the risk of infections such as HIV that can be transmitted through infusions. The new policy will be implemented no later than Sept.
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"But I know that a lot of gay, bi men and trans people will still be barred by this policy, so I think it's a bit unfortunate that the government has decided this is the approach they want to take," said Karas. Christopher Karas, a gay man who filed a human rights complaint against Health Canada, says the new policy still stigmatizes gay and bisexual men.