LONDON (AP) — British authorities and the country’s public health service knowingly exposed tens of thousands of patients to deadly infections through contaminated blood and blood products, and hid the truth about the disaster for decades, an inquiry into the U.K.’s infected blood scandal found Monday.
An estimated 3,000 people in the United Kingdom are believed to have died and many others were left with lifelong illnesses after receiving blood or blood products tainted with HIV or hepatitis in the 1970s to the early 1990s.
The scandal is widely seen as the deadliest disaster in the history of Britain’s state-run National Health Service since its inception in 1948.
Former judge Brian Langstaff, who chaired the inquiry, slammed successive governments and medical professionals for “a catalogue of failures” and refusal to admit responsibility to save face and expense. He found that deliberate attempts were made to conceal the scandal, and there was evidence of government officials destroying documents.
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands
Laotians appreciate Chinese medical team's timely help to combat COVID
Powerful Hurricane Ida slams U.S. Louisiana, other regions
Six killed in a 'foiled coup' in Congo, the army says
Pentagon chief orders U.S. airlines to assist Afghan evacuation
Technological innovation progress comes with rise of China's Silicon Valley
CPC Leadership Convenes Criticism and Self
California congressman urges closer consultation with tribes on offshore wind
China replaces Germany as UK's biggest import market: ONS