A total of 12,000 donors will be excluded from giving blood in a bid to cut the risk of spreading vCJD - the human form of BSE - through blood transfusions, it was announced today.
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The Irish Blood Transfusion Service said it will defer donors who have lived in Britain for a substantial period of time between 1980 and 1996 from giving blood as a precautionary measure to ensure Irish blood products are safe.
The deferral relates to people who lived in Britain during the period linked to the 95 British cases of vCJD. The cases have been linked to the eating of infected bovine meat products between 1980 and 1996.
The IBTS estimated the policy will see the loss of 200,000 donations per annum - 12 per cent of donors - which is the largest percentage loss of any country through a similar type of ban.
But it said the policy will cut the risk of passing vCJD by blood in Ireland by up to 90 per cent.
The policy will take effect from April for those who have lived in the UK for five years or more between 1980-1996 inclusive.
The IBTS plans to extend the deferral to include people who have lived in Britain for one year or more during other relevant years from next September.
A strategic plan will be launched to recruit the 12,000 new donors needed to make up the loss caused by the ban, the IBTS said.
The strategies to recruit new donors and to manage the country’s blood stock will include:
- A targeted campaign to encourage people eligible to donate to come forward.
- New fixed blood donation centres in Cork, Dublin, Galway and Limerick. New mobile collection bases for the west, north-east and north midlands.
- Extended opening times at the Dublin city centre clinic in D'Olier Street - which has already recorded an increase in blood donations.
- A stock-management system to encompass regional stock holding units to relieve any critical regional shortages.
Fine Gael spokesman on health Mr Gay Mitchell TD today welcomed the move which has been endorsed by the Government. He also called for the setting up of a health ombudsman to oversee the IBTS and all health services.
"A health ombudsman would reported directly to the Oireachtas and would give greater cause for confidence on the part of the public," he said.