UK Contaminated Blood Scandal Claims Over 3,000 Lives
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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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