UK Government Announces Final Compensation Payments for Infected Blood Scandal Victims

Victims of the UK’s infected blood scandal are set to receive their final compensation payments this year, following the government’s announcement on Tuesday. This comes after a damning report revealed the severe negligence that led to tens of thousands of people being infected with HIV or hepatitis C from contaminated blood transfusions or products in the 1970s to the early 1990s.

Termed as the deadliest disaster in the history of the state-run National Health Service of the United Kingdom, the scandal has resulted in the deaths of approximately 3,000 individuals and infected around 30,000 people with life-threatening diseases.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the scandal as a significant tragedy that had a profound impact on the nation, emphasizing the need for justice and accountability.

The report unveiled the cover-up efforts by successive UK governments, highlighting the gross failure to address known risks associated with blood transfusions and blood products. It pointed out that the lack of rigorous screening and donor selection protocols led to thousands of individuals being unnecessarily exposed to infectious diseases.

Cabinet Office Minister John Glen assured swift action in compensating the victims, with an initial interim payment of £210,000 to be disbursed to those in urgent need within 90 days. Additionally, friends and family members who cared for the infected individuals will also be eligible for compensation.

Legal representative Des Collins, who represents numerous victims, expressed concerns about bereaved families not yet receiving any payments and lacking guidance on claiming interim compensations for deceased relatives. The total cost of the compensation package, which is estimated to exceed £10 billion, remains undisclosed.

The long-awaited inquiry, approved in 2017, has finally shed light on the decades-long struggle of campaigners seeking justice for the victims of the infected blood scandal. The report’s findings emphasize the devastating consequences of the negligence and the urgent need for accountability within the healthcare system.