UK blood ban lifted

The Canarian Health Service has lifted the ban on blood donors that applied to anyone who had spent six months in the United Kingdom between 1980 and 1997.

The ban was introduced in the late-1990s throughout Europe and the USA in response to cases of Creuzfeldt- Jacob disease, or “Mad Cow” disease. As the prions that carry the disease can remain in the body for several years, it has continued for almost three decades.

However, health authorities in Europe have recently been relaxing the ban, and the Canarian Health Service announced in October that it no longer applied on the islands

Blood donors must be between 18 to 65 years of age, weigh more than 50 kilograms, be in general good health and not be pregnant. Blood donations are received at the Dr. José Molina Orosa Hospital in Arrecife. You can call 928 595 572 (option 3) to arrange an appointment or attend the Consultas Externas zone of the hospital yourself.