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Japan Hemophiliacs Mark 30 Years Since HIV Settlement
29 Mar
Summary
- Thirty years passed since the hemophilia HIV class-action lawsuit settlement.
- A leader warns that prejudice against infectious diseases continues.
- The diagnosed individual also contracted hepatitis C and suffered cirrhosis.
Sunday marked the 30th anniversary of a significant class-action lawsuit settlement in Japan. The lawsuit was filed by hemophilia patients who contracted HIV from untreated blood products.
Tomomi Goto, 53, who leads a group of plaintiffs in Tokyo, spoke about the ongoing challenges. He warned that prejudice and discrimination against individuals with infectious diseases have not been resolved, drawing parallels to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Goto was diagnosed with hemophilia during his childhood, a condition affecting blood clotting. During his junior high school years, it was discovered he had contracted HIV through treatments. He also suffered from hepatitis C and cirrhosis.
The anniversary serves as a reminder of the past struggles and the continued need for awareness and acceptance surrounding infectious diseases.
