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.
Siblings trying to make US water polo teams for Paris Olympics
Atlanta officer charged with killing his Lyft driver
Tommy Paul feels right at home on European clay. Swiatek to play Sabalenka in Italian Open final
A windswept Natalie Portman and John Krasinski film a high
'Constantly learning' Imanaga off to impressive start with the Chicago Cubs
Messi's $20.4 million compensation with Miami exceeds all but 3 other MLS teams
Jeopardy! contestant leaves host Ken Jennings STUNNED with shock on
UNC interim chancellor backs AD Bubba Cunningham after trustee criticism, audit push
Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Maryland ban on rifles known as assault weapons
Catching Freedom shows why it was an 'easy decision' to enter him in the Preakness
Lynn Williams breaks NWSL goal
UN reports improved prospects for the world economy and forecasts 2.7% growth in 2024