in the late 1970s and early 1980s, some 4,800 hemophiliacs were infected with hepatitis c after through their nhs treatment. at least 1,200 of those were also infected with hiv, the virus that leads to aids.
with her identity hidden, one woman said she became infected with hiv through her husband who was a hemophiliac, and who had been given contaminated blood. she said when they found out they were left stunned and devastated.
"this was the mid-1980s and the climate of fear, discrimination and stigma associated with hiv and aids was horrendous," she said. "we coped the best we could. we were silenced, and we kept quiet."
downton abbey actor david robb and actress isla blair were invited to give readings to the inquiry on its first day.
"the survivors, the infected - who are still living - suffer the appalling consequences of what happened, every day, every hour, every minute of their lives," ms blair told the westminster room, which was packed with more than 500 people. "the widows, the lovers, the sons, the daughters, the mothers, the fathers, the grandchildren - they suffer too, in grief, in anger, in silence."