• Over 30,000 patients were infected with HIV or hepatitis C through contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s, resulting in an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 deaths and many others left with lifelong illnesses. [foxnews.com, thesun.co.uk, scmp.com, bbc.com, theguardian.com, news.sky.com, economist.com, washingtontimes.com]
  • The final report of the UK’s infected blood inquiry, which reviewed evidence from over 5,000 witnesses and 100,000 documents over four years, found a “catalogue of failures” and a “chilling cover-up” by authorities, including the government, NHS, medical professionals, and pharmaceutical firms. [washingtontimes.com, foxnews.com, thesun.co.uk, news.sky.com, theguardian.com, scmp.com]
  • The inquiry criticized the lack of patient safety culture, with victims suffering from “pervasive cover-up” and “downright deception,” and recommended creating a new duty of candor for healthcare leaders and civil servants. [news.sky.com, economist.com, theguardian.com]
  • The Thatcher government failed to respond urgently to the risks and provide guidance to doctors, while denying compensation without proper investigation. [news.sky.com, theguardian.com]
  • Doctors allegedly lied and injected contaminated blood without consent, knowing the risks, and the government was aware of the risks but did not act on warnings. [foxnews.com, thesun.co.uk, washingtontimes.com]
  • The UK introduced screening for hepatitis C later than 23 other mainly European countries, and recommendations to prevent harm from contaminated blood were not adequately followed. [theguardian.com]
  • Victims and their families have spent decades fighting for justice and compensation, with the government expected to apologize and announce compensation in excess of £10 billion. [washingtontimes.com, scmp.com, thesun.co.uk, foxnews.com, news.sky.com, bbc.com, theguardian.com]
  • Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologized for the failures, but campaigners criticized the government’s response and the prime minister’s insincere apology as a continuation of the same pattern of neglect and indifference towards the victims. [news.sky.com, bbc.com, theguardian.com]

Sources:

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