- Jim Reed
- BBC Health Correspondent
23 minutes ago
source of photos, Family photo
As a child, Michael was diagnosed with hemophilia, a hereditary disease that easily prevents bleeding.
A BBC review of documents in the UK’s national archives found that around 150 children with haemophilia in the 1980s had been infected with the immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The patient’s family has come forward to present evidence in a public investigation into what has been dubbed the “worst medical disaster in the history of the National Health Service (NHS).”
Almost 36 years have passed, but Linda still vividly remembers the news that her son Michael was infected with HIV in late October 1986. HIV is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
At the time, Linda went to the hospital after being contacted by medical staff at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Her 16-year-old son already suffered from hemophilia, a hereditary disease that prevents proper blood clotting from an early age.
So Linda speculated that it would be a discussion about moving her son’s dedicated hospital to “Queen Elizabeth Hospital”, a large-scale hospital in Birmingham.
“My husband[마이클의 의붓아버지]“It was a very normal day, waiting for me in the parking lot outside the hospital,” Linda said. “But suddenly, the doctor said, ‘Michael was HIV positive’ and spoke calmly as if he were talking about the weather.” I felt my heart sink, “she recalled.
“I went back to my husband who was in the car and talked to him. On the way home, no one spoke. Everyone was shocked.”
HIV positive
At the time, it was in the early stages of the AIDS crisis, just months before the UK government launched a television campaign called “I hope you don’t die of ignorance” in 1987 and advertised AIDS education for the whole nation. .
However, the stigma and stigma associated with AIDS were already evident in reality.
In 1985, when a student who also had hemophilia tested positive for AIDS antibodies, dozens of parents took their children to the same elementary school.
That’s why Michael didn’t want to tell his friends and family about the positive test.
“So my son reacted,” said Linda, “I endured it alone without telling anyone.”
Michael’s mother Linda said, “My son didn’t tell his friends or anyone because he wanted to feel like a normal person.”
“Michael didn’t tell his friends or anyone else because he wanted to feel like a normal person.”
Between 1970 and 1991, 1,250 people with blood disorders who received a new drug called ‘blood clotting factor VIII’ were infected with HIV in the UK. It was a treatment to replace the lack of clotting proteins in the blood.
Among them were 175 children who were treated by NHS medical staff in hospitals, schools and clinics for haemophilia.
It is estimated that tens of thousands of people have also been exposed to hepatitis C through treatments or blood transfusions. Hepatitis C can cause liver failure and liver cancer.
Before the advent of antiretroviral drugs, about half of these HIV-infected people died of AIDS-related diseases.
“Prisoners and drug addicts”
At that time, there were not enough blood products in Britain, so “blood clotting factor 8” was being imported from the United States.
The formulation of “blood clotting factor VIII” is obtained by collecting plasma from thousands of donors. So, if one of the donors is also HIV positive, the virus can spread.
American pharmaceutical companies were paid to purchase plasma. However, they also targeted high-risk groups, such as prisoners and drug addicts.
Meanwhile, Linda recalled an AIDS briefing held at Birmingham Children’s Hospital in 1984, two years before Michael tested positive. At the time, Linda, who had never heard of AIDS for the first time, was told to pay close attention to certain symptoms.
But Linda said she and her family were never fully aware of the dangers. A nurse even told Linda not to worry: “Michael is fine.”
Meanwhile, Michael continued to receive blood products imported from the United States.
source of photos, Photo archive
Former “Queen Elizabeth Hospital” in Birmingham. The hospital moved to another location in 2010.
Then, as Michael entered his late teens, he started showing signs of various abnormalities, such as night sweats, high fever, or the flu.
But Michael continued to work hard. He traveled, enjoyed music and supported his favorite West Bromwich Albion FC.
Then he said: “We played an important match for West Bromwich Albion FC at Wembley (near London), but Michael’s condition was really bad.”
“So we decorated the car (with all the necessary things) and let Michael meet his friends in the car. Michael wanted more than his physical condition to be able to go to the arena.”
Eventually, however, as his immune system began to crumble, Michael lost weight, felt tired, and his memory deteriorated.
source of photos, FAMILY PHOTO
Michele in his youth. Michael died on May 26, 1995, exactly one week before his 26th birthday.
Michael was transferred to Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham. Linda, who at the time worked as a cook in a nursing home, quit her job and took care of her child. It was the last few months of my son’s life.
Linda recalled: “My son joked with me, ‘I don’t think my mom is a nanny’, but I just said, ‘Don’t worry, son.'”
He even afflicted Michael with meningitis and pneumonia. They were all diseases caused by HIV, which he had been infected with as a child.
So on May 26, 1995, exactly one week before his 26th birthday, Michael left his mother Linda forever.
special investigation
Thirty years after Michael’s death, Linda is still presenting evidence in a lengthy public investigation into the medical disaster.
Linda will attend an extraordinary legislative session with other parents to share her family experiences of HIV-infected children in the 1970s and 1980s.
“I felt I had to do it,” said Linda, “because I want to help uncover the truth.”
“We want to know the exact truth as to why it could have happened in the first place and why it could have continued.”
* As requested by Linda, the surname was not disclosed.
