The Czech Health Ministry has proposed stricter testing measures for donors’ blood to detect HIV and hepatitis, aligning its procedures with the latest EU standards. The draft decree and accompanying documentation aim to enhance the safety of transfusion products and reduce the risk of infectious diseases transmitted through blood transfusions. The proposed testing methods will cost health insurers an additional CZK 110 to 135 million per year.

Currently, around 250,000 regular blood donors contribute to the blood supply in the Czech Republic. However, the country needs approximately 50,000 more donors to meet the demand for blood products.

Men who have sex with men and individuals with certain diseases are not allowed to donate blood. The Health Ministry expects the new decree to spark a discussion among experts about whether sexual intercourse between men is a sufficiently risky activity to exclude them from donating blood.

Illnesses such as hepatitis or tuberculosis, chronic conditions including high blood pressure, and recent use of antibiotics are also reasons why people may be temporarily or permanently barred from donating blood. Nonetheless, sexual orientation, race, nationality, political affiliation, and religion are not grounds for exclusion from blood donation in the Czech Republic.

According to Ondrej Jakob, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry, the six-month exclusion of men who have sex with men from donating blood is due to the higher risk of HIV infection. Previously, the exclusion period was 12 months. Data from the National Reference Laboratory for HIV/AIDS indicates that 292 new cases of HIV occurred in the Czech Republic last year, with 66 cases in the first quarter of 2023.

The proposal focuses on increasing the safety of transfusion products through improved HIV and hepatitis B and C testing of donors’ blood. Blood donations are not paid for, but individuals are entitled to time off work on the day of their donation. The Health Ministry aims to implement the new decree on July 1, subject to approval.

Article by Prague Forum