Argentina has lifted its ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood.

Health Minister Daniel Gollán stated on Wednesday that the legislative change is “scientifically and technically accurate” and based on a medical approach that replaces that old concept of “risk groups”, reports Slate.

Under the new policy, Argentina can “move toward a national blood system that is safe, caring, and inclusive”, Gollán added.

The overturning of the ban represents 15 years hard work by campaigners, among them Comunidad Homosexual Argentina (CHA).

“We appreciate the decision of the Ministry of Health of the Nation to change the nationwide blood donation questionnaire that discriminated against our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transvestite, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community, ” said CHA president César Cigliutti.

“Our claim was that it is the right of all donors who, being able to do so, can give their blood without having to suffer the rejection by the’ Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Gender Expression’ [questionnaire] and to make it clear to ensure that HIV transmission is through a virus, not the sexual orientation of donors.”

“This new resolution is another historic step for our LGBTI community and is the best response to sustained struggle of 15 years of the CHA,” he added outside the Ministry of Health, Buenos Aires this week.