Medsafe has approved a change to the blood donation rules which would allow more gay and bisexual men to donate.
These “discriminatory” rules will be changed next year The New Zealand Blood Service confirmed today.
Under the new rules, all donors would have individualised risk assessments, regardless of gender, sex and sexual orientation.
Chief medical officer Dr Sarah Morley said the final step in the process was to update the New Zealand Blood Service’s testing regime, which was expected to be completed by next year.
“At this stage, we anticipate that individualised donor assessments will be introduced in early 2026. We are committed to change, and we look forward to soon welcoming more gay, bisexual, takatāpui and other men who have sex with men into our whānau of lifesavers.”
A study from 2024 showed that three times as many gay and bisexual men would donate if there was a more individualised assessment on who can or cannot give blood.
Many gay and bisexual men consider the current criteria to be unscientific, outdated and discriminatory.
The current approach excludes people who pose no risk of HIV transmission including those in monogamous relationships and those who have not had intercourse with new partners.
Associate Professor Peter Saxton, from the University of Auckland’s School of Population Health, said he was “extremely pleased” with the Medsafe approval.
“This takes Aotearoa, New Zealand one step closer to a more inclusive blood donor policy and more blood for those who need it.”
