An inquiry found that British authorities and the public health service exposed thousands of patients to deadly infections through contaminated blood products. The scandal, spanning from the 1970s to the early 1990s, resulted in the deaths of approximately 3,000 people in the UK, making it one of the NHS’s deadliest disasters.
Root Causes Revealed
The inquiry, led by former judge Brian Langstaff, criticized authorities for neglecting patient safety and attempting to conceal the truth. The contaminated blood products, traced back to high-risk donors, including prison inmates, infected thousands with lethal diseases like HIV and hepatitis unknowingly.
Compensation is now expected to be distributed to victims, with an estimated £10 billion earmarked for those affected. Campaigners and lawmakers hope for accountability and justice for the victims and their families after decades of fighting to uncover the truth.
The long-awaited report’s publication is seen as a ‘day of truth’ for the victims, signaling a step towards justice and recognition for the suffering endured over the years.
Source: Le Monde with AP and AFP