sanbs still adamant on deferral period

By Nthateng Mhlambiso (BTM Senior Reporter)

October 4, 2006: Behind The Mask (BTM) has learnt that reports by the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) that gay blood is the most safest and carries no greater risks than any other group are not true.

Ianthe Exall, SANBS’ spokesperson, yesterday pointed out that she was misquoted by the media that published that information. “All I said was that blood from gay men and heterosexual couples go through exactly the same testing process…, and that it is not treated differently in any way”, Exall explained further.

The media that reported this misunderstood Exall and just presupposed that by mentioning ‘same testing process’ could mean gay blood doesn’t not involve risks as well since it is claimed that heterosexual blood is less risky compared to gay blood.

Recently SANBS opted to instigate a lenient routine to bring the deferral period of five years to six months for gay men.

The initial date for the deferral period to start being effective was October, but has been shifted to November due to unpredictable delays according to Exall.

Gay organizations had earlier expressed their dissatisfaction with the six months deferral period arguing that it still discriminates against gay men since there is no South African evidence that shows that gay blood is of high risk as SANBS claims.