Norway to Introduce Individual Donor Assessment for Blood Donation

The Norwegian Directorate of Health announced Tuesday (in Norwegian) that the agency will introduce individual donor assessment (IDA) to determine blood donor eligibility. The change will expand donation opportunities for men who have sex with men (MSM), who are currently deferred from blood donation for 12 months after their last sexual contact.

Under the revised process, all donors – regardless of their sexual orientation – will be eligible to donate blood six months after their last sexual contact with a new partner if they meet all other eligibility criteria.

The Directorate of Health plans to implement the new process before the end of 2023.