B2 – Upper Intermediate
From the late 1970s until 1985, patients with hemophilia were treated with contaminated blood products that were provided by the NHS in the UK.
The said patients later contracted hepatitis C and HIV. Over 3,000 of those patients have died.
The treatment for the patients who were mostly haemophiliacs used pharmaceutical products called Factor 8 and Factor 9 concentrates. They were imported from the US.
The UK government has launched an official investigation of this grave public health issue hoping to help the patients and their families.
Read the article about the contaminated hemophilia blood products scandal.
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-48596605
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “arms-length body” mean? “It set up an independent arms-length body called the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) to administer payments.“ Use this term in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
- What does “interim payment” mean? “In October 2024, the government said more relatives of those who died could also apply for £100,000 interim payments if the money had not already been claimed.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
- What does “on one’s side” mean? “People infected and affected do not have time on their side.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give 2 synonyms or similar expressions.
Discussion Questions:
- Share your insights about the contaminated hemophilia blood products scandal.
- Do you agree that the families of victims should receive a payout as a form of settlement? What is your opinion?
- Talk about another serious public health problem that you know of.