UK Contaminated Blood Scandal Claims Over 3,000 Lives
The UK contaminated blood scandal, which primarily occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, involved the distribution of blood products contaminated with HIV and hepatitis C to thousands of patients, predominantly those with hemophilia. This tragic event resulted in over 30,000 infections and more than 3,000 deaths. The use of Factor VIII, a blood-clotting agent derived from high-risk donors such as US prisoners and IV drug users, was identified as a primary cause. The government’s and medical community’s delayed and inadequate response exacerbated the crisis. An independent inquiry’s report released in May 2024 highlighted a series of failures and a government cover-up, leading to a significant compensation package and an apology from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The scandal underscores the necessity for stringent public health measures, ethical medical practices, and accountability.
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