WELLINGTON - Hepatitis C sufferers infected by bad blood are dying as they wait for the Government to decide on a proposal for compensation it received six weeks ago, says the Haemophilia Foundation.
It is understood a patient infected by contaminated blood during a transfusion died a fortnight ago, and another has also died recently.
The latest deaths brought the number of people who have died after receiving infected blood to 22. Hepatitis C infects the liver and is potentially fatal.
A compensation proposal was lodged with Health Minister Annette King last month on behalf of more than 240 people who were infected with the disease before comprehensive blood screening began in 1992.
The claim details have been kept secret, but it is believed to be for several million dollars.
Last year, Labour promised it would provide fair and immediate compensation if it became the Government.
Haemophilia Foundation vice-president Mike Mapperson said Mrs King had assured him and lawyers at a meeting on January 20 representing the claimants that the matter would be settled "within weeks rather than months."
A spokesman for Mrs King said yesterday that the minister realised a settlement would not stop people dying, but she was anxious that people affected had the compensation issue resolved as soon as possible.
The cabinet was expected to decide on a settlement agreement within the next two to three weeks, her spokesman said.
Mr Mapperson said it was frustrating for claimants to watch the weeks tick by while waiting for an offer.
"Payment of compensation is not going to stop the progress of the disease, but at least those people will go to their deathbeds hopefully with a little bit of security with a reasonable offer."
Mr Mapperson said claimants were anxious to get a settlement from the Government, particularly after a "pitiful" offer from the previous Administration.
Only 18 people accepted an offer of just over $20,000 in compensation from National.
- NZPA
Govt told to speed 'bad blood' claim
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