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.
Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
Belarus celebrates 79th anniversary of Victory Day
Kevin Kelsey scores first MLS goal to help Cincinnati beat Crew 2
Man City just two wins from another EPL title. Burnley becomes the second team relegated
Brazil replaces injured goalkeeper Ederson in Copa America squad
Wisconsin man gets 15 year prison sentence for 2022 building fire that killed 2 people
Buddha's birthday: When is it and how is it celebrated in different countries?
Medics remove 150 MAGGOTS from a woman's mouth after dental procedure left her with rotting tissue
Justin Allgaier uses dominant run at Darlington to win first Xfinity race of the season
Not so Cool Britannia! Noel Gallagher gives damning verdict on Keir Starmer
Putin says four gunmen in Moscow terrorist attack arrested