![\"Simon_Harris_2012\"](\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.towleroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Simon_Harris_2012.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIreland has lifted the ban on gay<\/a> men<\/a> donating blood<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n In the move announced by Health Minister Simon Harris, gay<\/a> men<\/a> will from this week be able to donate blood if they meet the other blood donor selection criteria, including a one-year deferral for men<\/a> who have sex<\/a> with men<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n In other changes, those diagnosed with an STD cannot give a blood donation for five years after completing treatment for the infection.<\/span><\/p>\n Harris said:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe [Irish Blood Transfusion Service] provides a safe, reliable and robust blood service to the Irish health system and has the necessary programmes and procedures in place to protect both donors and recipients of blood and blood products. Furthermore, the IBTS will continue to keep all deferral policies under active review.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n According to the Independent<\/a>, while only three percent of the eligible population of Ireland are active blood donors, 25 percent of people will require a blood transfusion in their lifetime.<\/span><\/p>\n In June 2016,\u00a0Northern Ireland\u00a0Health Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill announced\u00a0an end to the lifetime ban on blood donation by gay<\/a> men<\/a>.<\/p>\n (Image via Wikimedia<\/a>)<\/p>\n The post Ireland Lifts Lifetime Ban on Gay Men Donating Blood<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\nRELATED:\u00a0FDA Updates Blood Donation Policy for Gay Men<\/em><\/a><\/h2>\n