An inquiry in Britain revealed a harrowing infected blood scandal that was not an accident, but rather the result of negligence by doctors and governments. More than 30,000 people were infected with hepatitis or HIV from blood products in the 1970s and 1980s, leading to 3,000 deaths and devastating countless lives.
The government’s cover-up to “save face and expense” was described as more chilling than a conspiracy plot. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called it a “day of shame for the British state” and offered a wholehearted apology to the victims and their families. The scale of the disaster was described as horrifying and astonishing.
Victims, including children given infected blood without consent, faced stigma and lack of compensation for decades. The inquiry found systemic failures and a lack of response to known risks of HIV and Hepatitis C.
The scandal also affected other countries and caused a loss of faith in the medical establishment. The inquiry did not have the power to recommend prosecutions, highlighting the need for justice and accountability in such cases.
The report is a stark reminder of the tragic consequences when patient safety is not the top priority.
© Thomson Reuters 2024.