Latest news with #KirbyInstitute
ABC News
2 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Thousands from LGBTQI+ and sex worker communities can now donate plasma
Thousands of members of the LGBTQI+ and sex worker communities can now donate plasma in Australia without having to wait three months from the last time they had sex. On Monday, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood removed most wait time restrictions for gay and bisexual men, transgender people, sex workers and those on the common HIV prevention drug pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This change means an estimated 625,000 additional Australians are now eligible to donate plasma. Often referred to as the "liquid gold" part of blood, plasma is used to treat more than 50 medical conditions. During the HIV crisis in the 1980s, Australia introduced an indefinite ban on men who have sex with men from donating blood and plasma in order to prevent transmission through blood transfusion. Skye McGregor from the Kirby Institute said this was in part due to the lengthy time it took to confirm if HIV was present in test results. "To have no deferral now around sexual activity through the plasma pathway is really significant," Dr McGregor said. Other factors such as a 33 per cent drop in HIV diagnoses since 2014, and increased sensitivity of HIV tests — which can detect an infection within a week — have also contributed to the lifting of restrictions. "Whilst these changes were necessary in the past to ensure that blood safety, we also know that they did contribute to stigma within particularly the gay and bisexual community," Lifeblood chief executive officer Stephen Cornelissen said. From July 14, people in these previously restricted groups can donate plasma immediately, regardless of sexual activity. The only exception is for those who've recently had sex with a partner known to have HIV or another blood-borne virus. "It's a beautiful moment," Joshua Smith said, who donated for the first time on Monday. "Blood and plasma donations was one of the last things it felt like gay and bisexual people and trans communities were excluded from. Fellow donor Kane Wheatley added: "It's one of those things that you spend your whole life thinking this is just not going to get across the line, and when it does it feels really nice to be able to be here to support it, normalise it for people as well." Lifeblood estimates an additional 625,000 Australians may now be eligible to donate plasma. It is hoping for 24,000 new donors and 95,000 additional donations a year. The next step is for gay, bisexual and other members of the LGBTQI+ community to be able to donate what's known as "whole blood", not just plasma. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has recently approved a gender-neutral risk assessment for blood and platelet donations, which is the first step in the process. This means everyone — regardless of gender or sexual orientation — will be asked if they have had sex (excluding oral sex) with a new or more than one partner in the past six months. If they answer yes, they will be asked whether this included having anal sex in the past three months. Anyone who answers yes will be deferred from donating blood for six months, but will be able to donate plasma. This means gay and bisexual men in long-term, monogamous relationships will be able to donate whole blood without abstaining from sex. This change will be implemented sometime next year, Adjunct Professor Cornelissen said. Let Us Give, a campaign to ensure equality when it comes to blood donation, welcomed the change to giving plasma but said the whole blood rules remain "discriminatory" as they stand currently. Spokesperson Rodney Croome said policy should centre on "the safety of a donor's sexual activity rather than the gender of their sexual partner". He said an approach change like this would "open up a new source of safe blood for those in need and remove discrimination from Australia's blood collection system". Those who have recently had sex with a partner known to have HIV or another blood-borne virus will still be unable to donate blood or plasma. There are also restrictions that prevent people taking some medications, those who have medical conditions such as MS or cancer, people who are pregnant or less than nine months postpartum, and those who have recently undergone surgery from making donations. The rule preventing people who lived in the UK between 1980 and 1996 from donating in Australia was lifted in July 2022.
SBS Australia
2 days ago
- Health
- SBS Australia
After decades of being banned, Chris hopes his liquid gold is 'a step forward for equality'
Chris Steel hasn't sat in a donor lounge chair for decades. He compared his last phone call from Red Cross Australia asking him to donate, "effectively having to come out again". "I had to say, look, I know I can't donate. I'm gay. I'm sorry," he told SBS News. "And you know, it is one of those things that you don't want to have to necessarily confront. It's a difficult conversation to have." Steel, who is the ACT treasurer, has been advocating for blood donation services to include donations from gay and bisexual men for years. He says he is now happy to see the source of angst removed for many. From Monday, most gay and bisexual men, those using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and transgender women will be able to donate plasma nationwide, even if they'd had sex with men in the previous three months, as long as they meet all other eligibility criteria. Lifeblood Australia estimates the change affects 600,000 Australians and anticipates an extra 24,000 donors or 95,000 extra plasma donations as a result. Ban rooted in HIV transmission fears Skye McGregor, an epidemiologist whose work focuses on surveillance and prevention of sexually transmissible infections and blood-borne viruses at the Kirby Institute at the University of NSW, said the ban stems from the 1980s. She said fears over transmitting HIV through blood transfusions prompted an urgent health response from Australia and many other countries around the world. "Australia introduced an indefinite deferral for men who have sex with men, and this because they're the population who've historically been most impacted by HIV," she told SBS News. "There was a three-month or more delay between someone acquiring HIV and a test being able to detect it. "And so as HIV testing improved over time, the deferral for men who have sex with men decreased from indefinite to 12 months … then in 2021 this was reduced to three months." First-time donor Johannes felt frustrated that he was unable to donate for years. Source: SBS News / Rania Yallop Steel is excited to witness the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) provide a safe pathway for donating the liquid gold and hopes to encourage thousands to donate. "Gay men are just as altruistic as anyone else," Steel said. "They want to help others, and they've been prevented from doing so; that changes today, and it's really great to see this step forward for equality." The service is also working on changes to eligibility for blood and platelet donations after the TGA approved a submission to remove gender-based sexual activity rules. Under those changes, all donors will be asked the same questions about their sexual activity, regardless of their gender or sexuality. All donors with new or multiple partners will be prohibited from proceeding if they've had anal sex in the last three months. Rolling up their sleeves a 'step towards equity' Since hearing about the rules update, 26-year-old Canberran Ben, who did not give his last name, has been recruiting friends to roll up their sleeves. Ben arrived before 9am to be one of the first donors at the launch event on Monday. He said he found the previous guidelines "a little bit unfair". "It's a step towards equity and I think it's a reasonable sacrifice to make," he told SBS News. Following the rule change, Ben (right) has already enlisted six of his friends to donate plasma. Source: SBS News / Rania Yallop Ben was accompanied by Johannes, who works in a Canberra hospital and was motivated to add to the plasma supply after seeing the impact on recipients first-hand. "I'm at the giving side of blood products, and I know how life-saving it can be to have them, whether that's plasma or red blood cells," Johannes said. 'Felt braver': Life-changing plasma Hayley Teasdale cannot put into words the impact of two small vials of plasma. For years, a rare primary immune deficiency left her unwell, bedridden and frequently visiting the hospital. Hayley Teasdale uses two vials of plasma a week, the equivalent of 100 plasma donations, to boost her immunocompromised body. Source: SBS News / Rania Yallop Now, the equivalent of 100 plasma donations a year, has meant she can live a full and active lifestyle and keep up with her three-year-old daughter. Teasdale received her first dose of plasma at the age of 24 and described it as "life-changing". "I felt braver to go out in public spaces. "I could deal with getting sick now, because I had the support of someone else's immune system, essentially, and that was very powerful."
SBS Australia
2 days ago
- Health
- SBS Australia
'Liquid gold' donations to flow after Lifeblood's new sexual activity rules take effect
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts . The last time Chris Steel donated blood was decades ago. When the Red Cross later called, asking him for another donation, he says it was like coming out all over again. "I had to say, look, I know I can't donate. I'm gay. I'm sorry. And you know, it is one of those things that you don't want to have to necessarily confront it's a difficult conversation to have." The A-C-T's Treasurer has been pushing for blood and plasma donation rules to be changed since entering politics. Today, he's one of 625,000 Australians now eligible to donate plasma as sexual activity restrictions blocking most gay and bisexual men from giving the liquid part of blood are lifted. "After the marriage equality non binding plebiscite result and the changes to marriage equality laws, people were looking at other forms of discrimination that existed in society, and this was one that I think a lot of people came up against and recognised, but it wasn't one that could be changed overnight." Lifeblood estimates the new 'plasma pathway' will lead to an additional 95,000 plasma donations a year. It marks the end of restrictions that began in the 1980s, as Dr Skye McGregor from the Kirby Institute explains. "HIV transmission through blood transfusions prompted an urgent public health response. And so Australia, like many countries around the world, introduced an indefinite deferral for men who have sex with men, and this because they're the population who've historically been most impacted by HIV in Australia, and at this time, there was no HIV testing." As HIV testing advanced, the total ban was lifted and replaced with a suspension period. "The deferral for men who have sex with men decreased from indefinite to 12 months in 2000. And then in 2021 this was reduced to three months since last sexual activity, however, really didn't take into account that there was lower risk groups." From 14 JULY, potential plasma donors will only be asked one sexual-activity related question, with people who have had sex with someone who have been found to have HIV, hepatitis B or C, or HTLV in the last three months unable to donate. And while men and transgender women donating blood will still be asked if they have recently had sex with men, there's a plan for that to end, with a gender neutral screening question to be introduced next year. Once implemented, all donors will be asked the same questions, with most people in monogamous sexual relationships able to donate. Instead, anyone who has recently had anal sex with new or multiple partners will be unable to donate, regardless of gender. Dr McGregor says that reflects the potential risks. "Unprotected anal sex carries a higher risk of HIV transmission compared to other sexual activities, and this is particularly if it's a receptive anal intercourse, and this is because there's a risk of tears and abrasion in the anal passage, and it makes it easier for HIV to enter the bloodstream." For people like Hayley Teasdale, it's also a big day. "It's pretty hard to put into words just how important these donations are for my life. Before I received the plasma products, I was incredibly unwell, spending a lot of time in bed in hospital, always recovering from some kind of illness, and I'm able to live a full and active life. I have a job that I love, a family that I get to spend so much time with a beautiful, three year old daughter who keeps me very busy that without this plasma, I would not be able to keep up with it's honestly just given me a whole life I never thought was possible for a while there." The 33 year old relies on 100 plasma donations a year for her medication to treat a rare immune deficiency. "It's just such a huge moment for a community that's been just wanting to donate for so long. And it's moved me to tears to listen to Chris speak about that, and I'm so excited for all our new donors."
ABC News
6 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
New science paves way for same day treatment for cervical cancer in Vanuatu
Vanuatu's Prime Minister Jothan Napat has cancelled the country's annual Independence Ball, one of the highlights of the country's independence celebrations. Local media reports that the funds for the ball could be redirected to combating cervical cancer. The disease is preventable but in Vanuatu, it's the second most common cancer among women. For the last four years, the University of New South Wales Kirby Institute has been working to get screening done across the country. And the institute's Asia and Pacific Health Senior Program Manager Vanessa Price said new advances in science means women can now access same day treatment.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Two new questions to be asked to blood donors amid major overhaul: 'About bloody time'
In a world-leading move, Australia is lifting restrictions that have long prevented many gay, bisexual and transgender people from donating plasma, with historic changes to blood donation screening set to follow next year amid critical shortages. From July 14 most sexual activity-based wait times will be removed for plasma donation, including for people taking PrEP [a tablet to prevent HIV infection], allowing tens of thousands more people to donate. Inclusive, gender-neutral rules for blood donation have also been approved and are expected to be implemented in 2026, bringing an end to gendered screening questions and marking a major shift in how all donors are assessed. That means any person, regardless of their sexual orientation, will have to follow the same criteria to donate, removing specific questions targeting gay, bisexual and trans women who have sex with men. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia on Wednesday morning, a Lifeblood spokeswoman said the changes were a long time in the making. "It's a rigorous process when any changes happen in the health system, but we've gotten there," she said. "So from the 14th of July, restrictions are lifted on plasma — meaning gay, bi, trans and PrEP users can donate plasma without a wait time — that includes sex workers and some other groups. "The estimate, done by the Kirby Institute, is that this change could affect around 600,000 people. The only restriction that remains in place is if you have HIV, or if you have a partner with HIV." Australia's donated blood is rigorously tested at every stage — including screening for blood type, antibodies, HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and bacterial contamination — performed in TGA‑licensed labs to ensure only safe blood reaches patients, with any positive samples destroyed immediately. Blood is made up of several components, including red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Plasma is the clear, yellowish liquid portion that carries these cells, along with nutrients, hormones, and proteins, throughout the body. While whole blood donations include all components, plasma donations collect only the liquid part, which can be processed and used to treat a variety of medical conditions, such as immune disorders and clotting problems. Under the new system, people in a sexual relationship of six months or more with a single partner will be eligible to donate blood. Those with new or multiple partners may also be eligible, provided they haven't had anal sex in the past three months. Importantly, men will no longer be singled out and asked if they've had sex with another man — a major step toward a more inclusive and stigma-free donation process. "Questions for all donors will instead be replaced with: 'Do you have a new partner?' and 'Have you been having anal sex in the last three months with this new partner?" the spokeswoman explained. "That will mean a wait time if you have, but if it's a monogamous relationship and it's not a new partner, then you'll be able to donate. And men and women will both be asked the same questions." Now, Australia is at the forefront globally in modernising blood and plasma donation policies to be more inclusive and evidence-based. We now join a small but growing group of countries prioritising safety while reducing stigma for LGBTQ+ donors. 'Can't do it': Urgent Aussie blood warning Urgent call for type-O blood donations amid shortages Calls to end 'outdated' ban as blood supplies drop to dangerous levels Similar gender-neutral donation systems have been implemented in countries like the United Kingdom and Italy, where questions focus on individual sexual behaviour rather than identity, allowing more people to donate safely. However, Australia's move to eliminate wait times for plasma donation among PrEP users and men who have sex with men places it among the world leaders in progressive, scientifically informed donor eligibility. LGBTQI+ campaigners have long championed such a change, with advocates welcoming the announcement on Wednesday. "About bloody time! Gay and bisexual men have some of the highest levels of sexual health practice and literacy, and I look forward to joining gay and bisexual men across Sydney and Australia in donating blood," Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich said. Lifeblood's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jo Pink, said given that the plasma is the donation type most needed by Australian patients, the change couldn't come at a better time. Pink said the safety and well-being of patients who receive donations remains, as always, at the forefront in decision-making. 'With more than 600,0000 people estimated to be covered by the previous wait times, we now anticipate an extra 24,000 donors, and 95,000 extra donations of plasma to be made each year," she said. "There are many steps that Lifeblood needs to take before we can implement the new gender-neutral assessments, including working with state and territory governments to change the donor questionnaire. We hope to be able to implement this part of the change next year. "Blood safety is and always will be our top priority, but we know the current donation rules have been very difficult for many people in the LGBTQIA+ community. While they were put in place to ensure a safe blood supply in the past, we know that they've contributed to the stigma faced by the community. "We hope as we move through the process of seeking to have both these changes introduced, this will be a turning point for both Lifeblood and the LGBTQIA+ community." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
