The Ministry of Health yesterday has explained why a man in his 20s was not allowed to donate blood during a recent blood drive due to his sexual orientation.

The report was published by FijiVillage.

In a statement the Ministry said: “The purpose of excluding such people is to protect the donors themselves from potential risks of giving blood or to protect others from diseases than can be carried in donated blood.”

It further said it was to reduce the risk of spreading Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) through blood transfusions.

Fiji is guided by (World Health Organisation) WHO’s expert advice on blood transfusion.

“The WHO guidelines also advise against accepting blood donations from people who engage in high-risk sexual behaviours such as those who have multiple sex partners, receive or pay money or drugs for sex, including sex workers and their clients, men who have sex with men (MSM) and women who have sex with MSM.”

“The WHO guidelines on blood transfusion recommend that donations of blood should not be accepted from people in a number of categories.”

Edited: Naisa Koroi

Feedback: ashna.kumar@fijisun.com.fj