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.
Six killed in a 'foiled coup' in Congo, the army says
Record 11.93 Mln Students to Take China's College Entrance Exam
Professional ski instructor from New Zealand provides ski training in China
Maritime Day of China Marked in NE China's Liaoning
Amir Khan's £11.5m luxury wedding venue finally hosts its first marriage: Bride arrives on horse
Smart Health Care Hut Offers Residents Great Convenience in East China
Farmers Busy with Summer Farming Across China
Professional ski instructor from New Zealand provides ski training in China
The unstoppable duo of Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos
New Teaching Resources Expected to Foster Passion for Chinese History in HKSAR Secondary Schools
Biden says Brown v. Board of Education ruling was about more than education
China Focus: CPC Membership Exceeds 96.7 Million