The replacement text, relating to four bills (PS, BE, PAN and the non-inscribed deputy Cristina Rodrigues) was approved unanimously, by the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms and Guarantees and will now go to the final vote in plenary.

The four bills in question proposed changes to the Blood Donor Statute, to end discrimination against donors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, following complaints about situations that persist.

The replacement text that will go to votes, to which Lusa had access, defines that "the person who meets the eligibility criteria, previously defined in an objective, equal and proportional manner by order of the Ministry of Health, can give blood, which must comply with the principles of confidentiality, equity and non-discrimination”.

“The eligibility criteria defined in the previously cannot discriminate blood donors based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sexual characteristics”, the text reads.

It is also defined, in the article of this statute on blood donation, that "the character of donations, namely their regularity, definition of blood unit, donation intervals and other aspects related to the donation, must meet the criteria defined by the body responsible, in order to guarantee the availability and accessibility of quality, safe and effective blood and blood components, which must respect the principles of proportionality, equity and non-discrimination”.

“It is up to the blood establishments to ensure that blood donors meet all eligibility criteria and that these criteria are applied objectively, equally and proportionally to all candidates”, the text also reads.

The text also defines the promotion, by the Portuguese Institute of Blood and Transplantation "in partnership with educational institutions" of an annual campaign "to encourage the donation of blood by young people".

This campaign "should be integrated into the different social contexts and promoted in the different media, using a simple, clear and informed message", and should "raise awareness of the non-discrimination of the donor, with special emphasis on the basis of their identity gender or sexual orientation”.