Through this decision, around 15,000 British nationals in Malta will now be able to start donating blood
As of today, people who lived in the United Kingdom, including Maltese nationals who studied and worked in the country between 1980 and 1996, may be eligible to donate blood in Malta, following the removal of a restriction that had been in place for a number of years due to concerns related to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD).
The decision was taken after scientific research and long-term surveillance showed that there is no longer a risk of this disease, which was present in the United Kingdom during those years, being transmitted through blood donation today. The decision also follows updated guidelines issued by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM).
Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg once again reiterated the commitment to encourage more people to donate blood. This is a commitment he made a few weeks ago when, in one of his first initiatives as Minister responsible for Health, he joined a number of Ministry employees in donating blood. He renewed his appeal to everyone who is eligible to make this gesture of solidarity.
The review of this restriction was also among the issues discussed during a meeting Dr Borg held a few days ago with the British High Commissioner to Malta, Victoria Busby. This meeting gave further impetus to a process already underway, which has now led to the removal of the restriction.
“During the meeting with the High Commissioner, we discussed this very restriction at a time when the necessary work to review it was already underway. Today, thanks to the research and scientific studies that have been carried out, we are removing it and giving more people the opportunity to play their part. I take this opportunity to reiterate my appeal for everyone to do their part – donating blood is a noble gesture that saves lives,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
Dr Monique Debattista, Responsible Person and Medical Director within the National Blood Transfusion Service, explained that the Service’s register includes around 350 people who had previously expressed their wish to donate blood but were unable to do so because of this restriction. They will now be contacted and encouraged to become donors, either for the first time or once again after many years.
“We are truly pleased with this change because we know that there are a substantial number of people who wish to donate blood but who, because of this restriction, were unable to do so for many years. We will now be able to welcome back donors who had to stop donating, while also welcoming new donors,” said Dr Debattista.
British resident Sara Hazzard, who was among the first people able to donate blood following the removal of the restriction, said that the British community had long been waiting for this change and encouraged those who, until now, were unable to donate blood to come forward and do so. “It was a truly rewarding experience to finally be able to give something back to the community through this opportunity. I would like to encourage the many friends and family members who often ask whether they can donate blood to now follow my example and do the same.”
Photos (ODPM)
