Govt Recognises Dilemma of Haemophiliacs
From Hepatitis C Resource Centre
By: Joanna Davis
The Press
April 17, 2006
Haemophiliacs caught up in the "bad blood" scandal of the 1990s will be guaranteed access to life-saving treatment and get up to $60,000 compensation, in a turn-around by health officials that will also include an apology from Prime Minister Helen Clark.
More than 170 haemophiliacs were infected with hepatitis C from contaminated blood products before screening was belatedly introduced in New Zealand in 1992. Screening had been available commercially overseas since 1990.
An advocate for haemophiliacs said yesterday that the best aspect of the compensation package agreed between the Ministry of Health and the Haemophilia Foundation was guaranteed access to life-saving treatment against hepatitis C. The Health Ministry would not comment on the deal or even confirm it had been reached.
Haemophilia Foundation past president Mike Carnahan said the compensation package needed to be approved by Cabinet as soon as possible so that victims could take advantage of treatment.
"People are dying. They need to get access to treatment and, because it takes 12 months, many will have to give up work," he said.
"(The package) will give some people surety to take that time off."
A chemotherapy-type treatment for hepatitis C is available but has been difficult for some to access in recent years. Treatment takes up to 48 weeks to be effective and often has crippling side-effects.
Carnahan said the expected apology from the Prime Minister -- actually an "acknowledgement of suffering and statement of regret" -- would be hugely symbolic and extremely important for many. Younger people in particular had told the foundation they would drop court cases over the matter if there was an apology.
The package also includes the establishment of a centralised national "one-stop shop" at ACC for processing claims and payment towards claimants' legal costs.
Hepatitis C is a potentially fatal virus that attacks the liver, causing fatigue and eventually leading to cirrhosis and cancer.
Before screening was introduced in New Zealand, it is estimated more than 1000 people were exposed to tainted blood and more than 700 probably contracted the hepatitis virus. At least 12 people are believed to have since died. Haemophilia Foundation president Dave McCone welcomed the "long time overdue" resolution and planned to encourage members to accept the settlement.
"No amount of compensation can fully make up for the personal injury many of our members have suffered but we believe that the treatment and welfare package is broad enough to address at least the most urgent needs of people living each day with two chronic life-long debilitating illnesses."
Haemophiliac Steve Waring, who contracted hepatitis C through infected blood products, said he was excited by the deal. Wellington father-of-three Waring, 42, said the most significant aspects for him were access to treatment and the financial compensation that meant he could take a year off from his work in promotions for a print and design company. "(Undergoing treatment) you're pretty much useless for a year. I can take time off and know that my family will be looked after in that time."
Waring said Clark's acknowledgement of suffering would also be a big thing for him. "To me that's huge. There's closure in that -- we can see someone listened, someone understands and it's an acknowledgement that more could've been done and wasn't."
Waring said hepatitis C affected his energy levels and motivation. The 2004 death of Rangiora man John Milne, a haemophiliac who died from liver cancer caused by hepatitis C, also affected him. "It's such a shock to think that you're going along well one day, the next you're in the hospital and the next you're dead. That's part of the reality with hepatitis C.
"You spend your life battling haemophilia. Now that whole community of people is also faced with hepatitis C. To have both of them has certainly made life difficult for many people." ________________________________________ © Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2006, All rights reserved.
