March 31, 2008

Gay Men in Thailand Barred From Donating Blood

Following a Thai Red Cross Society study that found that the majority of blood donations that tested positive for HIV in the country came from men who have sex with men (MSM), gay men in the country are no longer permitted to give blood, Thai newspaper the Bangkok Post reports (bangkokpost.com, 3/31).

“The Thai Red Cross Society has the right to protect patients who are waiting for blood transfusions to save their lives by screening blood from specific donors that have high-risk sexual behavior,” says Soisaang Pikulsod, director of the National Blood Center.

According to the Bangkok Post, the new restriction—which is in accordance with World Health Organization guidelines—requires blood donors to complete a questionnaire that asks men if they have ever had sex with other men. It also asks women if they have had sex with men from countries with a high HIV infection rate.

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