An inquiry has found that around 380 children were infected with HIV due to contaminated blood products received through the NHS in the 1970s and 80s. This is believed to represent around 1 in 3 of the total number infected as a result of the contaminated blood products imported from the US during that period. It is estimated that 2,400 people subsequently died, according to Sky News.
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Initially it was thought that about 175 children had been infected but new estimates show it to be more than double that figure. This is based on the proportion of children among people with bleeding disorders, using data published in The Lancet in 1996 and figures provided by the UK Haemophilia Doctors' Organisation.
Compensation
Earlier in the year the government agreed to compensate survivors and partners of those who had died. The first interim payments of £100,000 per person went through last month to about 4000 UK victims. Commenting on the agreement the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, as per the BBC:
While nothing can make up for the pain and suffering endured by those affected by this tragic injustice, we are taking action to do right by victims and those who have lost their partners.
Whilst the initial agreement does not cover the children of those who have died or bereaved parents a further announcement on compensation eligibility is expected next year when the inquiry is over.
Worst NHS disaster
The contaminated blood scandal has been labelled the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS after thousands of patients with haemophilia and other blood disorders became ill after receiving blood products from the US.
The UK had been struggling to meet demand in its treatment of haemophilia and so was importing blood product Factor VIII from the US. This was a new treatment that replaced the clotting protein missing from their blood and this is what caused the disaster. The BBC reports:
It was made from the pooled blood plasma of thousands of paid donors, including some in high-risk groups, such as prisoners. If a single donor was infected with a blood-borne virus such as hepatitis or HIV then the whole batch of medication could be contaminated.
It is hoped the financial compensation will go some way to helping those who have suffered but sadly Decades after the initial contaminations, new cases of HIV and hepatitis are still being diagnosed, resulting in many early deaths.
Sources used:
- Sky News 'Around 380 children infected with HIV through blood products in UK, inquiry finds'
- BBC '1 in 3 infected with HIV in blood scandal was a child'
- BBC 'Infected blood victims to get £100,000 compensation'
