UK Contaminated Blood Scandal Claims Over 3,000 Lives
![](https://www.iasexpress.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/UK-Contaminated-Blood-Scandal-Claims-Over-3000-Lives-1024x557.jpeg)
The UK contaminated blood scandal, which primarily occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, involved the distribution of blood products contaminated with HIV and hepatitis C to thousands of patients, predominantly those with hemophilia. This tragic event resulted in over 30,000 infections and more than 3,000 deaths. The use of Factor VIII, a blood-clotting agent derived from high-risk donors such as US prisoners and IV drug users, was identified as a primary cause. The government’s and medical community’s delayed and inadequate response exacerbated the crisis. An independent inquiry’s report released in May 2024 highlighted a series of failures and a government cover-up, leading to a significant compensation package and an apology from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The scandal underscores the necessity for stringent public health measures, ethical medical practices, and accountability.