Lesbian blood ban removed

Gay rights campaigners have welcomed the move to allow lesbians to donate blood as experts questioned if keeping the ban on homosexual men was effective in ensuring the safety of supplies.

From July 1 a blood donation ban lasting for more than 10 years on homosexuals was lifted for lesbians because of their low risk of HIV, according to the revised version of blood donor health requirements.

Under requirements issued in 2001, all homosexuals were prohibited from giving blood.