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Iraq: Lives Shattered by Contaminated French Blood
Published: October 26,2023
Baghdad,Iraq – Oum Bassem carefully lays out faded photographs,each a poignant reminder of a life lost. One image shows a frail boy, Abbad, his ribs visible beneath his skin, staring directly at the camera. ”this is my son,” she says,her voice heavy with sorrow. “He died of AIDS in 1992, he was only 12 years old. Two of his brothers followed,in 1997 and 2005.”
From the back of her modest brick home, nestled in a Baghdad suburb, Oum Bassem retrieves plastic posters displaying the faces of fourteen children. The snapshot, taken in 1988, captures their innocent gazes. “They all died infected with HIV,” she states simply. “Today, we are demanding justice from the French firm, Sanofi, responsible for these contaminations.”
The tragedy stems back to the 1980s, a period when France was grappling with the burgeoning AIDS epidemic. In October 1985,a French ministerial decree ended the reimbursement of unheated blood products used to treat hemophilia. The following month, their sale was prohibited within France. this decision followed the discovery two years prior of a heating technique that effectively neutralized the HIV virus present in the blood of infected donors. However,these potentially life-saving measures were not extended to export markets,including Iraq.
Thousands of Iraqis, many suffering from hemophilia, were treated with these contaminated blood products. The consequences have been devastating, leaving a legacy of suffering and loss that continues to haunt families decades later. The lack of heated blood products meant that the virus spread unchecked, infecting countless individuals and creating a hidden epidemic within the country.
The legal battle against Sanofi, formerly known as Rhône-Poulenc, has been long and arduous. Families are seeking accountability and compensation for the immense suffering caused by the contaminated blood. They argue that Sanofi knowingly exported unsafe products to countries with less stringent regulations, prioritizing profit over human life.
The case highlights a disturbing chapter in medical history and raises critical questions about the ethical responsibilities of pharmaceutical companies and the importance of global health standards.For Oum Bassem and countless other Iraqi families, the fight for justice is not just about financial compensation; it’s about honoring the memory of their loved ones and ensuring that such a tragedy never happens again.
The situation underscores the need for greater clarity and accountability in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly regarding the export of medical products to developing nations. It also serves as a stark reminder of the enduring impact of the AIDS epidemic and the importance of continued research and prevention efforts.
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