Magen David Adom applies regulation banning donations from those who lived in countries with high rate of AIDS
A Knesset member born in Ethiopia was not allowed to donate blood at Israel’s parliament building Wednesday, setting off a firestorm of criticism over the denial by the Magen David Adom rescue organization.
Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein ordered MDA banned from setting up blood donation campaigns at the Knesset building after Yesh Atid MK Pnina Tamanu Shata, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for an investigation into the incident.
The furor began when Shata, who moved to Israel at age 3, arrived at an MDA blood drive being held at the Knesset on Wednesday and was told that she could not contribute due to the “special type of blood of the Ethiopian community,” Ynet reported.
Shata, who was filmed by a news crew during the encounter, asked the MDA team to verify whether or not she met the criteria to give blood. After several minutes she was told she could give blood, but that it would be frozen in storage.
“I am good enough to serve the state and in the Knesset,” Shata said to Ynet. “But for some reason to give blood I am not good enough.”
Edelstein contacted Shata to clarify what had happened and ordered Knesse Director Ronen Plot to end MDA blood drives at the Knesset until the matter was clarified. The Knesset Interior Committee scheduled a meeting for Tuesday next week to look into the regulations holding back Ethiopians from donating blood.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu telephoned Shata to speak with her about the incident and said that there should be a review of the criteria for blood donations by Ethiopians.
Eilat Shinar, the head of MDA’s blood service, said the organization operates according to government protocols, which since 1997 prohibit donation from people who were born in or lived for more than a year in a country with a high incidence of AIDS.
She noted that the ban includes African countries, southeast Asia, and the Caribbean Islands.
The national blood bank said that members of the Ethiopian can donate blood on the understanding that it won’t be used. However, in some cases, where the donated blood is from a particular scarce blood type, the portion is frozen for possible future use.
The rules, though, which have been condemned in the past, drew harsh responses from figures across the political spectrum.
“It is forbidden that we should differentiate between blood and blood in the State of Israel,” President Shimon Peres said. “All citizens are equal. New regulations should be created to enable all citizens of Israel to give blood. The Ethiopian community is very dear to Israel, the real salt of the earth.”
Health Minister Yael German called the rules archaic.
“I think it is absurd and unacceptable that in the year 2013 in the State of Israel members of the Ethiopian community, who arrived here 25 years ago, can’t give blood,” she said
Immigration and Absorption Minister Sofa Landar condemned the incident.
“I can’t stay silent when in the 21st century, in the State of Israel, somebody dares to differentiate between blood and blood,” she said.
Source: http://www.zehabesha.com/2013/12/uproar-as-ethiopian-mk-denied-chance-to-give-blood/
MK Pnina Tamano-Shata in the Israeli parliament on November 19, 2013. (photo credit: Flash90)
Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein ordered MDA banned from setting up blood donation campaigns at the Knesset building after Yesh Atid MK Pnina Tamanu Shata, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for an investigation into the incident.
The furor began when Shata, who moved to Israel at age 3, arrived at an MDA blood drive being held at the Knesset on Wednesday and was told that she could not contribute due to the “special type of blood of the Ethiopian community,” Ynet reported.
Shata, who was filmed by a news crew during the encounter, asked the MDA team to verify whether or not she met the criteria to give blood. After several minutes she was told she could give blood, but that it would be frozen in storage.
“I am good enough to serve the state and in the Knesset,” Shata said to Ynet. “But for some reason to give blood I am not good enough.”
Edelstein contacted Shata to clarify what had happened and ordered Knesse Director Ronen Plot to end MDA blood drives at the Knesset until the matter was clarified. The Knesset Interior Committee scheduled a meeting for Tuesday next week to look into the regulations holding back Ethiopians from donating blood.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu telephoned Shata to speak with her about the incident and said that there should be a review of the criteria for blood donations by Ethiopians.
Eilat Shinar, the head of MDA’s blood service, said the organization operates according to government protocols, which since 1997 prohibit donation from people who were born in or lived for more than a year in a country with a high incidence of AIDS.
She noted that the ban includes African countries, southeast Asia, and the Caribbean Islands.
The national blood bank said that members of the Ethiopian can donate blood on the understanding that it won’t be used. However, in some cases, where the donated blood is from a particular scarce blood type, the portion is frozen for possible future use.
The rules, though, which have been condemned in the past, drew harsh responses from figures across the political spectrum.
“It is forbidden that we should differentiate between blood and blood in the State of Israel,” President Shimon Peres said. “All citizens are equal. New regulations should be created to enable all citizens of Israel to give blood. The Ethiopian community is very dear to Israel, the real salt of the earth.”
Health Minister Yael German called the rules archaic.
“I think it is absurd and unacceptable that in the year 2013 in the State of Israel members of the Ethiopian community, who arrived here 25 years ago, can’t give blood,” she said
Immigration and Absorption Minister Sofa Landar condemned the incident.
“I can’t stay silent when in the 21st century, in the State of Israel, somebody dares to differentiate between blood and blood,” she said.
Source: http://www.zehabesha.com/2013/12/uproar-as-ethiopian-mk-denied-chance-to-give-blood/
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