In the wake of the devastating infected blood scandal, there has been a significant increase in demand for hepatitis C tests. It has been revealed that 1,700 individuals who contracted the disease in the blood transfusion scandal have yet to be diagnosed. This number is in addition to the already staggering count of 27,000 individuals who were infected with hepatitis C between the 1970s and 1991 due to contaminated blood. The scandal is considered the largest treatment disaster in the history of the National Health Service (NHS).

According to reports from the BBC, there has been an extraordinary surge in the number of people requesting NHS home-testing kits for hepatitis C. In just a little over a week, 12,800 individuals in England have requested these kits compared to only 2,300 requests in the entire month of April. This sudden spike in demand underscores the urgent need for testing and treatment in order to prevent further health complications.

Hepatitis C, often known as the "silent killer," can lead to chronic liver disease and, if left untreated, may prove fatal. Initially, the virus may cause only a few symptoms such as night sweats, brain fog, itchy skin, and fatigue. However, the risk of developing related cancers increases with each year that an individual carries the virus.

In response to the infected blood scandal, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is set to announce a £10 billion compensation package tomorrow. This payout is aimed at providing "life-changing" sums to the victims of this harrowing disaster. Hunt had previously made a promise to a dying constituent, and he now aims to fulfill that commitment. The compensation package is expected to provide some relief and support to the affected individuals and their families.

One of the victims seeking compensation is Charlotte Dickens, a 70-year-old woman from Surrey. Dickens, who had a blood transfusion after experiencing a haemorrhage during childbirth in 1980, had no knowledge that hepatitis C could have long-lasting implications. She expressed her astonishment that others were not tested for the disease once the risks became known. Dickens believes it is crucial to speak out on behalf of the approximately 3,000 individuals who have lost their lives due to receiving infected blood.

Another tragic case is that of Maureen Arkley, who died from liver cancer shortly after being diagnosed with hepatitis C. Arkley's daughter, Victoria, strongly believes her mother was infected during transfusions 47 years ago and expresses anger that she was never tested for the disease.

The compensation package announcement comes ahead of the release of the final report by former judge Sir Brian Langstaff, who has been conducting an independent inquiry into the infected blood scandal for nearly seven years. Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to formally respond to the report. Sunak has previously acknowledged the broken promises and dashed expectations suffered by the victims of this scandal.

The infected blood scandal has impacted more than 30,000 individuals in the UK who were infected with HIV and hepatitis C as a result of receiving contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. While some interim payments of around £100,000 have already been made to 4,000 individuals, the compensation package aims to provide a fair and full settlement for all the victims.

This scandal has not only affected the UK but has also had repercussions in many other countries. In the United States, for instance, firms that supplied infected blood products have already paid millions of dollars in out-of-court settlements.

As the infected blood scandal victims wait anxiously for the compensation package, the surge in demand for hepatitis C tests highlights the urgency of addressing this heartbreaking tragedy and providing support to those affected.