Blood scandal in United Kingdom: thousands to be compensated

He United Kingdom This year’s awards were announced this Tuesday Compensation For thousands of people who came Affected by blood or blood product distribution It was provided by the Public Health Service a few decades ago. In total, more than £10 billion will be awarded in compensation for the case.

Cabinet Office minister John Glenn said the full payment plan would be available soon, but victims who needed money urgently would be considered “time-critical”. In their cases, he added, extra provision 210,000 pounds For a period not exceeding 90 days.

The news came a day after a report was issued by the Center 1970 and policies 1990Public health and pharmaceutical services are provided to patients Blood or blood products contaminated with HIV or hepatitis CAccording to the government, something “unacceptable”. Because, due to scarcity, the authorities allowed import Knowing the risks involved in coming from abroad with this liquid tissue High-risk donors such as prisoners and drug addicts Those who received payment for blood transfusion.

The main victims are patients with hemophilia, bleeding disorders, and those who have received blood transfusions after childbirth, accidents, and during medical treatment.

Judge Brian Longstaff concluded that it was not an “accident” but “largely could have been avoided”.

“The inefficient and fragmented donation system in the United Kingdom at the time resulted in failures to ensure an adequate supply of the so-called factor VIII from British donors. 30,000 peoplefrom which 3,000 people diedHe reads the sentence.

The authorities were “too slow” and contributed to this disaster, which “continues to happen” today, with many patients “continuing to die every week,” he adds.

“Today is a shameful day for the British government.”The Prime Minister lamented his part Rishi Sunakwho extended his apologies to all those affected, admitted that this A “Decade of Moral Failure” It reached “to the heart of our national life”.

“Again, Those in positions of power and trust had the opportunity to stop the spread of these infections, and time and time again they failed to do so.“He further assured, “Whatever, we will pay for it”.

The carers of these patients are also eligible to apply for compensation as a result of all the inconvenience it has caused to British families since then.

Some interim reports submitted in July 2022 and April 2023 have already exposed this negligence and recommended compensation, which reached around 4,000 people and their loved ones, totaling £100,000.

(With information from EFE and AP)