Argentina has lifted the ban on gay men donating blood.

The decision was made to assess on individual risk on whether to accept blood, rather than on sexual orientation.

Health Minister Daniel Gollán said the decision was ‘scientifically and technically accurate’ and, under the new policy, Argentina can ‘move toward a national blood system that is safe, caring and inclusive’.

This puts Argentina alongside countries like Italy, Spain and Portugal that assess on individual risk.

The UK, US, Canada and Australia all either ban any man who has had sex with a man from donating blood indefinitely or tell them they must be celibate from one year to five years.

Earlier this year, former leader of the UK’s Green Party Caroline Lucas called for Britain to come to the forefront of blood equality.

‘I’ve long called for a review of the evidence on allowing people to donate safe blood in compliance with the Equality Act 2010,’ she said.

‘Crucially, this would also help ensure that men who have sex with men, for example, are not discriminated against when they want to donate blood.’