Lesbians, banned from giving blood since 1998, are now legally allowed to donate, according to a new national policy which took effect Sunday.

The Whole Blood and Component Donor Selection Requirements, released by the Ministry of Health last year, amended the provision which had forbidden homosexuals from giving blood. The previous requirements dated from 1998. It now does not mention homosexual identity, only stating that men who are sexually active with other men are still barred from donating. Read the full story here.