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.
Travis Kelce downs whiskey shot on slice of bread at Kelce Jam without Taylor Swift
More GOP states challenge federal rules protecting transgender students
Illegal migrants cost the taxpayer £14 billion every year, says former minister Dame Andrea Jenkyns
How has the Met Gala come to this? Rita Ora and Doja Cat lead starlets going semi
Ben Whishaw lights up the Croisette as he joins his co
House prices flat in April says Halifax, but buyers seek cheaper homes due to rising mortgage rates
Activist says US congressman knocked cellphone from her hand as she asked about Israel
'China is behind this': MPs lash out at Beijing over cyber
Children are evacuated from school 'during an exam' after threat made via email
Louisiana lawmakers reject adding exceptions of rape and incest to abortion ban
Kristin Cavallari, 37, ignores critics of her age
Disney's streaming business turns a profit in first financial report since challenge to Iger