The Netherlands Will Introduce Individual Donor Assessment in 2024

Sanquin, the agency responsible for the collection and distribution of blood in the Netherlands, will introduce individual donor assessment (IDA) to determine donor eligibility early next year, the organization announced (in Dutch) last week. Under the “universal assessment of sexual risk,” all donors will receive an identical questionnaire about sexual behavior. The questionnaire will no longer include questions specific to men who have sex with men (MSM).

Currently, the donor eligibility period in the Netherlands varies for MSM based on their relationship status. MSM in long-term monogamous relationships are eligible to donate without a deferral period (if they meet all other eligibility criteria) while non-monogamous MSM are eligible to donate four months after their most recent sexual contact with another man.